1. a symbol, word, or piece of text that temporarily takes the place of the final data
Usage: computing; technical
2. a person who holds a position temporarily or without real authority
3. something that serves as a temporary substitute until a permanent replacement is found

Examples

• Enter your name in the placeholder text field.
• The website uses placeholder images until the real photos are uploaded.
• He served as a placeholder CEO while the board searched for a permanent replacement.
• The empty lot serves as a placeholder until construction begins.
• Use ‘XXX’ as a placeholder for the missing data.
• She was just a placeholder candidate with no real chance of winning.