definitions

withhold

[ with-hohld, with- ]
/ wɪθˈhoʊld, wɪð- /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR withhold ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), with·held, with·hold·ing.

to hold back; restrain or check.
to refrain from giving or granting: to withhold payment.
to collect (taxes) at the source of income.
to deduct (withholding tax) from an employee's salary or wages.

verb (used without object), with·held, with·hold·ing.

to hold back; refrain.
to deduct withholding tax.

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RELATED WORDS

refuse, deduct, hide, conceal, suppress, deny, keep, resist, retain, detain, inhibit, abstain, disallow, refrain, repress, constrain, kill, spike, restrain, curb

Nearby words

wither on the vine, witherite, withers, withershins, witherspoon, withhold, withholding tax, within, within an ace of, within bounds, within call

Origin of withhold

First recorded in 1150–1200, withhold is from the Middle English word withholden. See with-, hold1

Related forms

with·hold·er, nounun·with·held, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for withhold

British Dictionary definitions for withhold

withhold

/ (wɪðˈhəʊld) /

verb -holds, -holding or -held

(tr) to keep back; refrain from givinghe withheld his permission
(tr) to hold back; restrain
(tr) to deduct (taxes, etc) from a salary or wages
(intr usually foll by from) to refrain or forbear

Derived Forms

withholder, noun
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