withhold

[ with-hohld, with- ]
/ wɪθˈhoʊld, wɪð- /

verb (used with object), with·held, with·hold·ing.

to hold back; restrain or check.
to refrain from giving or granting: to withhold payment.
to collect (taxes) at the source of income.
to deduct (withholding tax) from an employee's salary or wages.

verb (used without object), with·held, with·hold·ing.

to hold back; refrain.
to deduct withholding tax.

Origin of withhold

First recorded in 1150–1200, withhold is from the Middle English word withholden. See with-, hold1

OTHER WORDS FROM withhold

with·hold·er, noun un·with·held, adjective

Definition for withholding (2 of 2)

withholding tax

noun

that part of an employee's tax liability withheld by the employer from wages or salary and paid directly to the government.
Also called withhold·ing.

Origin of withholding tax

First recorded in 1940–45

OTHER WORDS FROM withholding tax

un·with·hold·ing, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for withholding

British Dictionary definitions for withholding (1 of 2)

withhold
/ (wɪðˈhəʊld) /

verb -holds, -holding or -held

(tr) to keep back; refrain from giving he withheld his permission
(tr) to hold back; restrain
(tr) to deduct (taxes, etc) from a salary or wages
(intr usually foll by from) to refrain or forbear

Derived forms of withhold

withholder, noun

British Dictionary definitions for withholding (2 of 2)

withholding tax

noun

tax deducted at source from income, esp from dividends, paid to nonresidents of a country, which may be reclaimed if a double-taxation agreement exists between the country in which the income is paid and the country of residence of the recipient
US a portion of an employee's tax liability paid directly to the government by the employer

Cultural definitions for withholding

withholding tax

The tax withheld (or deducted) directly from one's paycheck.