placeholder

noun
UK: /ˈpleɪsˌhəʊldə(r)/
US: /ˈpleɪsˌhoʊldər/

  1. A word or phrase used to represent something else that will be added or used later.

    1. Use 'example' as a placeholder; I'll find a real name soon.
    2. This paragraph is just a placeholder until we get more information about the project.

  2. A person or thing that temporarily takes the place of someone or something else.

    1. He was just a placeholder until they found a permanent manager.
    2. This temporary solution is merely a placeholder until a better system is designed and implemented.

Synonyms

substitute temporary marker dummy proxy replacement
placeholder verb

  1. To reserve a spot or time for a later, more definite booking or use.

    1. I'll placeholder the meeting room for next Tuesday.
    2. Placeholder tickets for the concert so we can decide if we want to go later.

  2. To temporarily occupy or fill a space, position, or role.

    1. This draft document placeholders the project overview, awaiting detailed input.
    2. She is placeholdering the director's role while he is on sabbatical leave.
placeholder adjective

  1. Serving as a temporary substitute or marker, indicating that something will be replaced later.

    1. This is a placeholder image; the final version will be better.
    2. The team used placeholder data to test the system before real data arrived.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "placeholder" in English means: A word or phrase used to represent something else that will be added or used later., A person or thing that temporarily takes the place of someone or something else..

The phonetic transcription of "placeholder" is /ˈpleɪsˌhəʊldə(r)/ in British English and /ˈpleɪsˌhoʊldər/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "placeholder": substitute, temporary, marker, dummy, proxy, replacement.

Example usage of "placeholder": "Use 'example' as a placeholder; I'll find a real name soon.". More examples on the page.