holder

noun

hold·​er ˈhōl-dər 

1

: a person that holds: such as

a(1)

: owner

(2)

: tenant

b

: a person in possession of and legally entitled to receive payment of a bill, note, or check

2

: a device that holds

a cigarette holder

Synonyms of holder

• owner
• proprietor

Examples of holder in a Sentence

She is the holder of an honorary degree.

the holder of a world record

Recent Examples on the Web

Serna had trained with Prefontaine, holder of all seven American records between 2,000 and 10,000 meters, on a March recruiting trip to Oregon. —Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 30 May 2026

New data from Fidelity shows IRA contributions surged 29% year over year in the first quarter of 2026, while the number of account holders actively contributing reached a record high — up 28% from the same period last year. —Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 30 May 2026

Federal law explicitly protects TPS holders from deportation while the designation is in effect. —Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026

From goalkeeper David Raya to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia via midfield stars Declan Rice and Vitinha, right through to the Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembele, there will be plenty of top-tier talent on the pitch at the Puskas Arena. —Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 29 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing holder

• co-holder
• holder in due course
• pot holder
• record holder
• slave holder

Rhymes for holder

• bolder
• bowlder
• colder
• folder
• golder
• molder
• moulder
• older
• polder
• shoulder
• beholder
• bondholder

Kids Definition

holder

noun

hold·​er ˈhōl-dər 

1

: a person that holds

especially : a legal owner

2

: a device that holds

Legal Definition

holder

noun

hold·​er

1

: a person that holds: as

a

: owner

the holder of a patent

—often used in combination

a stockholder

b

: one that holds or occupies the property of another by agreement and especially under a lease

2

a

: a person who under the Uniform Commercial Code is in possession of a negotiable instrument that names and is made payable to the possessor or that is payable to bearer

b

: a person under the Uniform Commercial Code in possession of goods named in a document of title if the goods are deliverable to bearer or to the order of the possessor

3

in the civil law of Louisiana : an individual (as a trustee or debtor) or legal or commercial entity that under the Civil Code's provisions for disposition of unclaimed property is in possession of property belonging to another