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 the event of a dispute, entries will be deemed submitted by the authorized account holder of the e-mail address submitted at the time of entry. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026

Couple Anna Twite and Alex Martinez, both 27, came from Orlando to attend their first Pride Night, thanks to Martinez’s mother who is a season ticket holder. —Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026

Another big change stemming from the recommendations, the state fire marshal's office now plans to coordinate on-site checks for all fireworks license holders across California. —Ashley Sharp, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026

Season ticket holder Angel Yanez, 41, and his 18-year-old son, who plan to attend every home game this season, expect to get plenty of use out of the cup. —Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 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