holdback

/ˈhoʊldˌbæk/
noun
  1. Something that delays or prevents progress; an obstacle.
    • Lack of funding has been a major holdback for the research project.
    • Her shyness was a holdback in making new friends at school.
    • The broken engine was a holdback that kept the plane from taking off on time.
  2. A part of a harness that holds a horse back or prevents a carriage from moving forward too quickly.
    • A broken holdback caused the wagon to lurch forward unexpectedly.
    • The farmer adjusted the holdback on the horse's harness before the ride.
    • He checked the holdback to ensure the horse could stop safely.
Antonyms