holdback: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Business/Technical
Quick answer
What does “holdback” mean?
A restraint, restriction, or delay.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A restraint, restriction, or delay.
A physical device (e.g., in a harness) or a psychological/situational factor that prevents progress, release, or forward movement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use the term similarly. 'Holdback' is somewhat more common in US business/finance contexts (e.g., payment holdback). In UK mechanical/engineering contexts, 'check strap' or 'restraint' might be used for the physical device.
Connotations
Neutral to slightly negative (implies something is being withheld).
Frequency
Low-frequency word in both varieties, but understood in professional contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “holdback” in a Sentence
[be] + a/the + holdback + to + NP[encounter/face/remove] + a/the + holdbackVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “holdback” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The committee decided to hold back a final decision.
American English
- The contractor will hold back 10% of the payment.
adverb
British English
- No adverbial form.
American English
- No adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- No common adjectival use.
American English
- No common adjectival use.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
A portion of a payment withheld until contract conditions are met.
Academic
A factor inhibiting progress in research or theory.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Used for a thing preventing someone from doing something.
Technical
A device preventing a train carriage from rolling or a component from moving too far.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “holdback”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “holdback”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “holdback”
- Using 'holdback' as a verb (correct verb is 'hold back' with a space).
- Confusing with 'setback' (a reversal) – a holdback prevents advance, a setback pushes back.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a noun meaning 'a restraint', it is one word: 'holdback'. The verb is always two words: 'hold back'.
A 'holdback' prevents something from starting or progressing. A 'setback' is a problem that causes progress to reverse or be lost after it has started.
Yes, though it's formal. You can say 'His shyness was a holdback in social situations,' but the adjective 'inhibiting' or phrase 'holding him back' is more common.
No, it's a mid-to-high frequency word in business, legal, and technical contexts, but rare in casual conversation where 'delay', 'problem', or 'thing holding me back' is preferred.
A restraint, restriction, or delay.
Holdback is usually formal/business/technical in register.
Holdback: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhəʊldbæk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhoʊldbæk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms. The verb phrase 'hold back' is idiomatic.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: To HOLD something BACK = a HOLDBACK.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROGRESS IS FORWARD MOTION / A HOLDBACK IS A PHYSICAL RESTRAINT (e.g., 'The funding issue was a major holdback to the project's momentum.').
Practice
Quiz
In a construction contract, a 'holdback' typically refers to: