How Do You Spell HOLDBACK?

Pronunciation: [hˈə͡ʊldbak] (IPA)

The word "holdback" is pronounced /ˈhoʊldbæk/. The first syllable "hold" is pronounced like the verb "hold", while the second syllable "back" is pronounced with the short "a" sound as in "cat". The letter combination "ck" represents a single consonant sound, so it's important to remember to spell it with two letters instead of one. The stress in this word falls on the first syllable, so be sure to emphasize the "hold" when speaking it aloud.

HOLDBACK Meaning and Definition

  1. Holdback can be defined as a term with various applications, referring to different contexts such as finance, business, construction, or sales. In the financial context, holdback refers to a portion of a payment being withheld for a specific period of time to ensure compliance with terms and conditions. For instance, in a business transaction, a buyer may agree to withhold a certain sum of money until certain conditions are met or contractual obligations fulfilled by the seller. This serves as a form of security or protection against any potential breach of contract or unsatisfactory performance.

    In the construction industry, holdback refers to the funds that are retained by the owner or contractor from every payment made to a subcontractor, until the completion of the project or certain milestones are achieved. This is done to guard against any deficiencies or errors occurring during project execution, ensuring that the work is completed satisfactorily.

    Additionally, holdback can also be encountered in sales or marketing, particularly in retail. In this context, it refers to a strategy where companies retain a certain percentage of the sales revenue for a specific period before paying it out to salespeople as a commission. This approach incentivizes salespeople to provide ongoing customer service and support after the sale, instead of solely focusing on closing the deal.

    Overall, holdback can be broadly defined as a temporary withholding of funds, goods, or payments, implemented to mitigate potential risks, enforce compliance, or incentivize desired behavior.

Common Misspellings for HOLDBACK

Etymology of HOLDBACK

The word "holdback" originated from Middle English, specifically from the combination of the words "holden" and "bak".

1. "Holden": It comes from the Old English word "haldan" or "healdan", which means "to keep" or "to hold". This verb evolved into early Middle English as "holden", and eventually "hold" in modern English.

2. "Bak": It is a shortened form of the word "aback". Aback means to be taken or moved backwards, which derives from the Middle English phrase "on bak", where "bak" means "back".

So, the combination of "holden" and "bak" became "holdback", which literally means to hold or keep something back or prevent it from progressing forward.

Plural form of HOLDBACK is HOLDBACKS

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