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

This includes a beautiful set of glass candlesticks from my best friend, a few small votive holders, and a set of matches in a porcelain striker that’s too cute to be in a cabinet anyway. —Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 10 Feb. 2026

Account holders get a free debit card and check-writing privileges. —Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026

Brass had its moment, but our experts say to leave behind the sleek metal and instead mix textures, patterns, finishes, and materials by adding this under-$30 rattan lamp and these pretty candle holders into your decor. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Feb. 2026

Those international package of games could be sold to a single rights-holder. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 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