holder

noun

hold·​er ˈhōl-dər How to pronounce holder (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Founded as a specialty finance company, MCT focuses on premium content investments, providing capital to major studios, indies and IP holders. Jamie Lang, Variety, 21 May 2025 As a financial institution, our role is to follow the direction of our account holder. Jeff Kauflin, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025 Disney, Universal, Warner Bros. and the like are also trying to sort through major concerns about how generative A.I. software is built, how copyright holders are compensated and how unions might react. Brooks Barnes, New York Times, 21 May 2025 In a separate effort to safeguard consumers, the measure would require issuers to grant coin holders priority for repayment in the event of a bankruptcy. Max Zahn, ABC News, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for holder

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of holder was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Holder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holder. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

holder

noun
hold·​er ˈhōl-dər How to pronounce holder (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on holder

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