# placeholder

/plˈeɪshəʊldɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/placeholder
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

a temporary name, number, or image used to show where something else will go later. You use it when you are not sure of the final details yet.

For teachers: a temporary value or object used to represent a missing or unknown element in a design or data structure. Often used in software development, graphic design, or publishing to maintain layout integrity during the drafting phase.

## Examples

- I used the word 'NAME' as a placeholder for the customer's actual name.
- The designer added a gray square as a placeholder for the final logo until the client provided the high-resolution file.
- In the initial stages of the database schema, the developers used a generic identifier as a placeholder to ensure the table structure remained consistent before integrating the actual user data.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.