placeholder
Americannoun
-
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.
-
Mathematics, Logic. a symbol in an expression that may be replaced by the name of any element of the set.
-
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.
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
Ms. Szarama’s title will be “acting director,” so perhaps she’s a placeholder while the White House and Dr. Makary try to settle on a longer-term replacement.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 5, 2026
Instead they have a so-called "placeholder job", meaning they have only been told the rough part of the country they will be in.
From BBC ● Apr. 6, 2025
It could become a glamorous placeholder: I like you enough to consider marrying you and I don’t want you going anywhere while I continue to think about it.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 17, 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.
