variants
or hold-up
plural holdups or hold-ups
1
: delay
There was a holdup with my order.
What's the holdup? [=what is the reason for the delay?]
2
: a robbery carried out at gunpoint
held up; holding up; holds up
1
: to rob at gunpoint
3
: to call attention to : single out
his work was held up to ridicule
hold this up as perfection—
The Times Literary Supplement (London)
The Times Literary Supplement (London)
: to continue in the same condition without failing or losing effectiveness or force
she's holding up under the strain
music that holds up twenty years later
Synonyms
Examples of holdup in a Sentence
Noun
There have been a series of holdups at local banks.
a holdup in construction due to the weather
Verb
held up mail delivery until we had a permanent address
traffic was held up for miles by the accident
Recent Examples on the WebInteresting Engineering, 23 June 2024
Is there a holdup about an injury/participation clause?
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 14 June 2024
Jennifer Chan, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2024
The inaction has pushed off a plan written six years ago to close Lincoln Hills School for Boys that was supported by the same Republican lawmakers who are now holding up its execution.
—Steven Martinez, Journal Sentinel, 1 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for holdup 
Noun
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Science
Humans to Mars: What’s the holdup?
—Interesting Engineering, 23 June 2024
Is there a holdup about an injury/participation clause?
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 14 June 2024
Verb
With a supportive firm yet flexible orthotic insole, these sturdy sneakers will hold up for hours of walking and look great with jeans, joggers, or shorts.
—Jennifer Chan, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2024
The inaction has pushed off a plan written six years ago to close Lincoln Hills School for Boys that was supported by the same Republican lawmakers who are now holding up its execution.
—Steven Martinez, Journal Sentinel, 1 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for holdup
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'holdup.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near holdup
Cite this Entry
“Holdup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holdup. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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