What does holdover mean?
A holdover is someone or something that remains after a change, event, or period has ended. In workplaces, the word often describes an employee who stays temporarily after a new person has been appointed to the role, although it can also refer more generally to a person remaining from a previous administration or team. A holdover may likewise be leftover food, an item retained past a deadline, or any other remnant. The term is common in North American English and carries a practical, sometimes mildly informal tone. It is especially useful when the important distinction is between someone who continues in a role and someone who formally succeeds them: the former may be a holdover, while the latter is the replacement, successor, or new appointee. The word can also suggest that something has survived a transition longer than expected.
A person who remains in a position after a replacement has been appointed, especially an employee retained temporarily.
"The outgoing manager stayed on as a holdover during the handover."
Chiefly North American; often implies that the person's role is temporary.
A person, thing, or remnant remaining from an earlier period, event, administration, or arrangement.
"The archive contains several holdovers from the organization's founding years."
This broader sense is informal to neutral and common in North American English.
Food or drink remaining after a meal, gathering, or event.
"The party ended with plenty of holdovers for the next day."
The word is informal in this sense.
An item retained beyond a deadline or period, especially in a legal, financial, or contractual context.
"The tenant remained as a holdover after the lease expired."
More formal uses are especially associated with legal and institutional contexts.
The plural is used for multiple remaining people, items, or remnants.
"The two holdovers were given temporary accommodation until the paperwork was completed."
A holdover is the person or thing that survives a transition—whether an employee after a change in management or the last slice of pizza after the meeting.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does holdover come from?
The word is a compound formed from the verb hold and the adverb over, literally suggesting something held or kept in place beyond the usual time. It developed in English in senses involving people or things that remain after a deadline, departure, or change. The compound is now especially established in American English for an employee retained after a replacement has been appointed, while related uses for food and other remnants are also common.
How holdover is actually used
The noun is informal to neutral in general use and especially common in North American English. In employment contexts, it can imply that the person's continued role is temporary or that a successor has already been chosen.
Easily confused with holdover
A leftover is generally a remaining item or substance, whereas a holdover more often denotes a person who remains in a role after a transition or an item retained temporarily.
A holdover can refer to a person, a food remnant, or an item retained after a deadline, while a successor is the person who takes over a position or responsibility.