holding

noun

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hold·ing | \ ˈhōl-diŋ

Definition of holding

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : land held especially by a vassal or tenant

b : property (such as land or securities) owned —usually used in plural

2 : a ruling of a court especially on an issue of law raised in a case — compare dictum

3 : something that holds

holding

adjective

Definition of holding (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : having the effect of holding back or delaying something the [war] represented a holding action against the spread of world Communism— Sidney Offit

2 : intended for usually temporary storage or retention a holding tank

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Synonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing holding Learn More About holding

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Examples of holding in a Sentence

Noun penalized 10 yards for holding the holding of “not guilty” took everyone by surprise Adjective The troops were engaged in a holding action until reinforcements could arrive.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun With linebacker Logan Wilson in coverage, officials called a defensive holding penalty, giving the Rams a fresh set of downs. — Dave Clark, The Enquirer, 14 Feb. 2022 The 49ers got a first down on the second holding penalty by a Dallas defensive lineman on a running play, and Samuel got all but a few inches needed for a first on a third-and-11 run with a minute remaining. — Schuyler Dixon, Chron, 16 Jan. 2022 After a 21-yard completion to Hooper, the Browns got a crucial holding penalty and Mayfield threw three straight incomplete passes before Cleveland was forced to punt on fourth-and-20. — Ashley Bastock, cleveland, 3 Jan. 2022 Politico noted that justices’ opinions and votes could change and that the holding will not be final until it is published, likely in the next two months. — Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 May 2022 As the Financial Times noted, that’s four times the holding of Jack Dorsey, a founder of the company and, until recently, its CEO. — Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 4 Apr. 2022 Twitter shares surged about 26% in premarket trading after the regulatory filing released Monday detailing Musk buying the holding. — Time, 4 Apr. 2022 The Rosneft holding was, until recently, too valuable to walk away from (BP pegged it at $14 billion at the end of 2021), but also increasingly uncomfortable for a Western giant steering away from oil, and its investors. — New York Times, 8 Mar. 2022 Gipson introduced bills that California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed into law, including the elimination of chokeholds by police and the holding of knees on suspects’ necks, which is how Floyd was killed in May 2020. — NBC News, 4 Mar. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Like the non-holding call against TCU on the Frogs’ first touchdown drive. — Kirk Bohls, USA TODAY, 4 Oct. 2020 It was established in 1997 to meet the needs of parents in the community, focusing on activities for parents of children birth to 3 years old and holding interactive sessions each month for families, according to the schools website. — Charlie Lapastora, Fox News, 20 Apr. 2018 Here’s how holding office affects Florida lawmakers’ incomes But surprisingly, Florida lawmakers did not boost their incomes while in office. — Kevin Fahey, Washington Post, 10 Aug. 2017 Please explain how holding secret meetings on the health care bill relates to consent of the governed. — Mary Schmich, chicagotribune.com, 27 June 2017 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'holding.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

18 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Holding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holding. Accessed 23 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for holding

holding

noun

hold·ing

Legal Definition of holding

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a ruling of a court upon an issue of law raised in a case : the pronouncement of law supported by the reasoning in a court's opinion — compare decision, dictum, disposition, finding, judgment, opinion, ruling, verdict

2 : any property that is owned or possessed —usually used in pl. an increase in the company's holdings

holding

adjective

Legal Definition of holding (Entry 2 of 2)

: intended for temporary custody or detention a holding facility a holding cell