holding pattern
noun
1
: the usually oval course flown (as over an airport) by aircraft awaiting clearance especially to land
2
: a state of waiting or suspended activity or progress
Examples of holding pattern in a Sentence
Our plane was in a holding pattern for almost an hour because of the fog.
repair work on the bridge was in a holding pattern for the duration of the winter
Recent Examples on the Web
Michigan's labor force is shrinking That holding pattern is leading to a decline in Michigan's labor force, a measure of people working or actively looking for work, as fewer companies bring on new employees.
—
Adrienne Roberts, Freep.com, 13 Nov. 2025
The orbiters are expected to linger in a holding pattern before heading for Mars next year when the red planet is better aligned for a less fuel-intensive journey.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Yet, the company remains in a holding pattern on AI deployment, its Vision Pro ambitions have been eclipsed by Meta, and the latest iPhone 17 and Air lineup offers little evidence of a new hardware super-cycle.
—Tony Zhang, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
New Jersey is in a holding pattern and while the roster has the ability to take off, the last two years of stagnation give pause.
—The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holding pattern
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Adrienne Roberts, Freep.com, 13 Nov. 2025
The orbiters are expected to linger in a holding pattern before heading for Mars next year when the red planet is better aligned for a less fuel-intensive journey.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Yet, the company remains in a holding pattern on AI deployment, its Vision Pro ambitions have been eclipsed by Meta, and the latest iPhone 17 and Air lineup offers little evidence of a new hardware super-cycle.
—Tony Zhang, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
New Jersey is in a holding pattern and while the roster has the ability to take off, the last two years of stagnation give pause.
—The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holding pattern
Cite this Entry
“Holding pattern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holding%20pattern. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
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