holding pattern

noun

1

: the usually oval course flown (as over an airport) by aircraft awaiting clearance especially to land

2

: a state of waiting or suspended activity or progress

Synonyms of holding pattern

• suspension
• suspense
• cold storage

Examples of holding pattern in a Sentence

Our plane was in a holding pattern for almost an hour because of the fog.

repair work on the bridge was in a holding pattern for the duration of the winter

Recent Examples on the Web

With future Basketball Hall of Famer LeBron James considering Miami in free agency, the Heat has been in a bit of a holding pattern with its roster since adding the 12th player in Hardaway on the first day of free agency last week. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026

And that again has created a holding pattern throughout the NBA, hardly the best of timing with the league’s 2026-27 signing period opening at noon Monday. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026

Shahidi said flights can normally divert or enter a holding pattern to avoid severe turbulence, but if it can't be seen in advance, there's no chance to prevent an encounter. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026

Since then, Fast & Furious has been stuck in a bit of a holding pattern as development on the eleventh installment — expected to be the last in the main series — has hit some speed bumps. — Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 22 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1952, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for holding pattern

• saturn

Kids Definition

holding pattern

noun

1

: the course flown (as over an airport) by an aircraft waiting for permission to land

2

: a state of waiting or suspended activity

the project is in a holding pattern