Dictionary.com

holdover

[ hohld-oh-ver ]
/ ˈhoʊldˌoʊ vər /
See synonyms for holdover on Thesaurus.com

noun

a person or thing remaining from a former period.
Printing. overset that can be kept for future use.

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Origin of holdover

1885–1890, Americanism; noun use of verb phrase hold over

Words nearby holdover

hold one's tongue, hold on to, hold on to your hat, holdout, hold out on, holdover, hold someone's feet to the fire, hold still for, hold sway over, hold the bag, hold the fort
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to holdover

relic, remainder, surplus

Example sentences from the Web for holdover

British Dictionary definitions for holdover

hold over

verb (tr, mainly adverb)

to defer consideration of or action on
to postpone for a further period
to prolong (a note, chord, etc) from one bar to the next
(preposition) to intimidate (a person) with (a threat)

noun holdover US and Canadian informal

an elected official who continues in office after his term has expired
a performer or performance continuing beyond the original engagement
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with holdover

hold over
1

Postpone or delay, as in Let's hold this matter over until the next meeting. [Mid-1800s]

2

Keep something in a position or state beyond the normal period, as in The film was to be held over for another week. [First half of 1900s]

3

Continue in office past the normal period, as in The committee chair held over until they could find a suitable replacement. [Mid-1600s]

4

hold something over someone. Have an advantage or use a threat to control someone. For example, They knew he'd been caught shoplifting and were sure to hold it over him. [Second half of 1800s]

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.