withholdings
|with-hold-ings|
🇺🇸
/wɪðˈhoʊldɪŋ/
🇬🇧
/wɪðˈhəʊldɪŋ/
(withhold)
holding back
Etymology
'withhold' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'withholdan', where 'wið' meant 'against' and 'holdan' meant 'to hold'.
'withhold' changed from Old English 'withholdan' to Middle English 'withholden' and eventually became the modern English word 'withhold'.
Initially it meant 'to hold back' or 'keep back'; over time this core sense has largely remained, now applied to money, information, consent, etc.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
amounts deducted or retained, especially sums taken from wages or payments for taxes or other obligations (e.g., payroll withholdings).
Her withholdings for federal and state taxes were higher this year.
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Noun 2
instances or acts of withholding (refusing to give information, support, permission, etc.).
The manager's withholdings of information frustrated the team.
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Last updated: 2025/12/26 15:03