placeholder
Americannoun
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something that marks or temporarily fills a place (often used attributively): We’re using placeholder art in this mock-up of the ad layout.
I couldn’t find my bookmark, so I put a coaster in my book as a placeholder.
We’re using placeholder art in this mock-up of the ad layout.
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Mathematics, Logic. a symbol in an expression that may be replaced by the name of any element of the set.
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a person who holds a government office, especially one appointed to the position in return for political support or favors.
Etymology
Origin of placeholder
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Rather than risking damage to the cards, a redemption card bearing a code serves as a placeholder in the pack.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2026
The White House released several games Thursday, with a placeholder that teased another one "coming soon."
From Barron's ● Sep. 4, 2026
Newly minted incumbent Darline Graham, the sister of Lindsey, was appointed to the seat initially as a placeholder.
From Slate ● Aug. 11, 2026
Design a personal dashboard mock-up with placeholder data.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 3, 2026
Around 500 BC the placeholder zero began to appear in Babylonian writings; it naturally spread to the Greek astronomical community.
From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
