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.
Initially he thought of the name as a placeholder, but “it wouldn’t go away.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
Newly minted incumbent Darline Graham, the sister of Lindsey, was appointed to the seat initially as a placeholder.
From Slate ● Aug. 11, 2026
The other eight vendors’ total obligations of $10,000 and $6,666 are placeholder allocations designed to grant them a position in the vendor pool.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 24, 2026
She had been given what is called a placeholder job.
From BBC ● May 4, 2024
He was only an idea of a boyfriend: a placeholder.
From "Genuine Fraud" by E. Lockhart
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.
