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 Web
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
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 
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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
Dictionary Entries Near holdup
Cite this Entry
“Holdup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holdup. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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