withhold[wit̸h hōld′, wit̸h-]
- Withhold is defined as to hold back or refuse.
An example of withhold is an employer giving a portion of someone's paycheck to the IRS for taxes.
transitive verbwith·held , with·hold·ing, with·holds
- To refrain from giving or granting: withhold information; withhold judgment. See Synonyms at keep.
- To keep in check; restrain: I was unable to withhold my laughter.
- To deduct (withholding tax) from an employee's salary.
Origin of withholdMiddle English witholden : with, away from; see with + holden, to hold; see hold1.
(third-person singular simple present withholds, present participle withholding, simple past withheld, past participle withheld or rarely, withholden)
From Middle English withholden, equivalent to with- +"Ž hold.