/hohld"owt'/ , n.
1. an act or instance of holding out.
2. a person who delays signing a contract in hopes of gaining more favorable terms: The basketball star was a holdout until they offered more money.
3. a person who declines to participate, cooperate, agree, etc.: Aside from one or two holdouts, everyone contributed.
[ 1890-95; n. use of v. phrase hold out ]