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

Most importantly, every seat is an individual chair with cup holder and arms; there are no bleacher seats — which are traditional at most college football venues. — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

According to an email sent to ticket holders, the shows will no longer proceed and all tickets will be automatically refunded to the original payment method. — Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 19 Sep. 2026

This craft set comes with a notepad, eraser, sticker sheet, three markers, and two pens, all packed inside a decorative ramen cup that doubles as a desk pen holder. — Anja Webb, Parents, 18 Sep. 2026

Luis Ojeda-Robles, the holder on the extra point attempt, took the snap and then ran to the outside and scored the two point conversion for the final points of a game that went back and forth. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Sep. 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