holdup

1 of 2

noun

hold·​up ˈhōld-ˌəp How to pronounce holdup (audio)
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

hold up

2 of 2

verb

held up; holding up; holds up

transitive verb

1
: to rob at gunpoint
2
3
: to call attention to : single out
his work was held up to ridicule
hold this up as perfectionThe Times Literary Supplement (London)

intransitive verb

: 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

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 Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The holdup caused a public outcry because the rule changes are intended to help the Agriculture Department stem the movement of commodities infested by pests, including coconut rhinoceros beetles. CBS News, 24 Oct. 2024 But intractable holdups, over who and how many people should be released from each side and over a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, prevented a deal — and that was before the latest hostage killings. Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2024
Verb
While not bulletproof, the roofs hold up better against hail, reducing the need to file claims and pay deductibles. Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024 The mechanics of the plot itself don’t quite hold up under scrutiny, which is a shame when the dialogue, performances and filmmaking craft are so tightly woven, moving in perfect sync. Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for holdup 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1851, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of holdup was in 1837

Dictionary Entries Near holdup

Cite this Entry

“Holdup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holdup. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

holdup

1 of 2 noun
hold·​up
1
: a robbery at gunpoint
2

hold up

2 of 2 verb
(ˈ)hōl-ˈdəp
1
2
: to rob at gunpoint
3
: to continue without failing or losing effectiveness
holding up under the stress
music that holds up twenty years later

Legal Definition

holdup

1 of 2 noun
hold·​up
: an attempted or completed robbery carried out with the use of force and especially at gunpoint

hold up

2 of 2 transitive verb
: to make the victim of a holdup : rob at gunpoint

More from Merriam-Webster on holdup

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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