WITHHOLD

[verb] [T] [past:] withheld - to refuse to give (something) or to keep back (something)to withhold information/supportDuring the trial, the prosecution was accused of withholding crucial evidence from the defence.Police are withholding the dead woman's name until her relatives have been informed.She withheld her rent until the landlord agreed to have her drains unblocked.The government is planning to withhold benefit payments from single mothers who refuse to name the father of their child. [T](US and ANZ) Withholding tax is the sum of money taken from a person's income and paid directly to the government by their employer.