holdback
noun, verb
holdback is spelled H-O-L-D-B-A-C-K: 8 letters. It appears about once in every 26 million words in written English, the 155,937th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As a noun, holdback means “A restraint; a device or part of a device that operates to restrain” (English Wiktionary, September 2026). The plural of holdback is holdbacks.
How many letters and syllables are in holdback?
| Letters | 8: H-O-L-D-B-A-C-K |
|---|---|
| In writing | about once in every 26 million words; the 155,937th most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How common is holdback?
Holdback appears about once in every 26 million words in written English, the 155,937th most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
Forms of holdback
- holdbacks plural, present, singular, he/she/it
- holdbacking participle, present
- holdbacked participle, past
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does holdback mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
noun
- 1
A restraint; a device or part of a device that operates to restrain.
- 2
The projection or loop, on the thill of a vehicle, to which a strap of the harness is attached, to hold back a carriage when going downhill, or in backing. Also, the strap or part of the harness so used.
- 3
A delay in the movement of solute due to the slowing effects of diffusion
- 4
Income that is set aside for eventualities such as customer returns, seasonal fluctuations, performance bonuses, unexpected costs, etc.
- 5
A portion of the money that is owed to someone which is not paid, but instead held as security, until the entire job or contract has been successfully completed.
- 6
Money that a buyer does not pay at the time of purchase, but which is paid afterward (sometimes in installments, sometimes on a specified date).
- 7
The difference between a dealer's cost and the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
- 8
A time period during which sales of a specific security or commodity cannot occur.
verb
- 1
To set up a holdback.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Where does holdback come from?
From hold + back.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).