HOLDOUT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does holdout mean? 

• HOLDOUT (noun)
  The noun HOLDOUT has 3 senses:

1. a negotiator who hopes to gain concessions by refusing to come to terms

2. a refusal by a negotiator to come to terms in the hope of obtaining a better deal

3. the act of hiding playing cards in a gambling game so they are available for personal use later

  Familiarity information: HOLDOUT used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• HOLDOUT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A negotiator who hopes to gain concessions by refusing to come to terms

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Context example:

their star pitcher was a holdout for six weeks

Hypernyms ("holdout" is a kind of...):

negotiant; negotiator; treater (someone who negotiates (confers with others in order to reach a settlement))

Derivation:

hold out (stand up or offer resistance to somebody or something)

hold out (wait uncompromisingly for something desirable)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A refusal by a negotiator to come to terms in the hope of obtaining a better deal

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("holdout" is a kind of...):

bargaining (the negotiation of the terms of a transaction or agreement)

Derivation:

hold out (stand up or offer resistance to somebody or something)

hold out (wait uncompromisingly for something desirable)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The act of hiding playing cards in a gambling game so they are available for personal use later

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("holdout" is a kind of...):

cheat; rig; swindle (the act of swindling by some fraudulent scheme)