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holding pattern

noun

Definition of holding pattern

  1. 1 :  the usually oval course flown (as over an airport) by aircraft awaiting clearance especially to land

  2. 2 :  a state of waiting or suspended activity or progress

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Examples of holding pattern in a Sentence

  1. Our plane was in a holding pattern for almost an hour because of the fog.

  2. repair work on the bridge was in a holding pattern for the duration of the winter

First Known Use of holding pattern

circa 1952

holding pattern Synonyms

Synonyms
cold storage, deep freeze, doldrums, dormancy, abeyance, latency, moratorium, quiescence, suspended animation, suspense, suspension
Antonyms
continuance, continuation
Related Words
inaction, inertia, inertness, motionlessness; impasse, standstill; coma, hibernation, hypnosis, repose, rest, sleep, slumber, torpor; recess, recession, remission; downtime, idleness, layoff
Near Antonyms
recommencement, renewal, resumption, resuscitation

HOLDING PATTERN Defined for English Language Learners

holding pattern

noun

Definition of holding pattern for English Language Learners

  • : a course flown by an aircraft while waiting for permission to land

Learn More about holding pattern

  1. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for holding pattern

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holding pattern

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Examples: holding pattern in a Sentence