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
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
Stock markets are largely in a holding pattern today as investors wait for the rate decision.
—
Jim Edwards, Fortune, 10 Dec. 2025
What the new coach faces The Hornets are in a holding pattern of sorts in football.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 5 Dec. 2025
Inbound flights that had been placed in holding patterns were cleared to land, and no cancellations were reported.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
In Chicago and Portland, judges blocked Guard forces from being deployed onto the streets, leaving them in a holding pattern for weeks.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holding pattern
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Jim Edwards, Fortune, 10 Dec. 2025
What the new coach faces The Hornets are in a holding pattern of sorts in football.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 5 Dec. 2025
Inbound flights that had been placed in holding patterns were cleared to land, and no cancellations were reported.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
In Chicago and Portland, judges blocked Guard forces from being deployed onto the streets, leaving them in a holding pattern for weeks.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holding pattern
Cite this Entry
“Holding pattern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holding%20pattern. Accessed 15 Dec. 2025.
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