PLACEHOLDER Definition & Meaning

placeholder

[ pleys-hohl-der ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

something that marks or temporarily fills a place (often used attributively): We’re using placeholder art in this mock-up of the ad layout.
I couldn’t find my bookmark, so I put a coaster in my book as a placeholder.
We’re using placeholder art in this mock-up of the ad layout.
Mathematics, Logic. a symbol in an expression that may be replaced by the name of any element of the set.
a person who holds a government office, especially one appointed to the position in return for political support or favors.

Discover More

�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of placeholder¹

First recorded in 1550–60; place + holder

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

There were placeholders and they were nonspecific enough that we felt that they’d be appropriate — the scene was Abbott on the roof, I make reference to having made a speech, the speech was TBD.

From

Instead they have a so-called "placeholder job", meaning they have only been told the rough part of the country they will be in.

From

The words “underserved” and “disadvantaged” are used casually as if they were harmless verbal placeholders.

From

Because this draw takes place before those games, the quarter-finalists will be drawn as placeholders.

From

In downtown Los Angeles, parking lots are often placeholders, eventually giving rise to future development, but in the district known as South Park, one parking lot might just stay low.

From

Browse