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

Synonyms

• suspension
• suspense
• cold storage

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

Broadway box office was mostly in a holding pattern last week as the industry gears up for a busy fall season, but some shows broke from the pack to do very well indeed for the late-summer dog days. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025

Sticking to a holding pattern with predictability is the natural response when your job is at stake. —Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025

However, investors were in a holding pattern awaiting Powell’s speech and his tone on his economic outlook. —Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2025

Sources say the program is likely mired in the same holding pattern as most local policies for the foreseeable future, hinging on who occupies City Hall come January. —John Surico, Curbed, 9 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1952, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for holding pattern

• saturn

Kids Definition

holding pattern

noun

1

: the course flown (as over an airport) by an aircraft waiting for permission to land

2

: a state of waiting or suspended activity

the project is in a holding pattern