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

In Wednesday’s drawing, three ticket holders won $1 million by matching the first five numbers but missing the sixth – the red Powerball – according to game officials. —Toni Odejimi, CNN Money, 13 Dec. 2025

Several news outlets reported that the promoter of the event, Satadru Dutta, was arrested and a plan was being worked out to refund money to ticket holders. —Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 13 Dec. 2025

Vail Resorts owns and operates 42 mountains across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia and partners with many more to provide Epic Pass holders access to slopes across the globe. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 12 Dec. 2025

By contrast, rate cuts at the Fed typically deliver relief for credit card holders roughly in line with the central bank’s policy shift, some experts said. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 12 Dec. 2025

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