Langimage
English

withholding

|with/hold/ing|

B2

🇺🇸

/wɪðˈhoʊldɪŋ/

🇬🇧

/wɪðˈhəʊldɪŋ/

(withhold)

holding back

Base FormPluralPlural3rd Person Sing.PastPast ParticiplePresent ParticipleNounNoun
withholdwithholderswithholdingswithholdswithheldwithheldwithholdingwithholdingwithholder
Etymology
Etymology Information

'withhold' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'wiðhealdan,' where 'wið-' meant 'against' and 'healdan' meant 'to hold.'

Historical Evolution

'wiðhealdan' transformed into the Middle English word 'withholden,' and eventually became the modern English word 'withhold.'

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'to hold against,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to keep back or retain.'

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

the amount of income tax that an employer holds back from an employee's paycheck and pays directly to the government.

The withholding on my paycheck was higher this month.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Verb 1

the act of holding back or keeping something in one's possession.

The company is withholding the payment until the work is completed.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:35