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.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of placeholder¹

First recorded in 1550–60; place + holder

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Trouble is, the Angels lost 99 games last season, with too many veteran placeholders and not enough prospects, and attendance fell anyway.

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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.

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

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

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

From

place card place in the sun

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