holding

1 of 2

noun

hold·​ing ˈhōl-diŋ 

1

a

: 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

2 of 2

adjective

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

Synonyms

Noun

• doom
• finding
• judgment
• judgement
• ruling
• sentence

Example Sentences

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

Legal challenges The rule’s legal challenges include those from a federal judge in Florida that temporarily blocks the administration’s attempt to release migrants more quickly when Border Patrol holding stations are full. —Arcelia Martin, Dallas News, 16 May 2023

That includes Hawaii, which is home to the United States Pacific Command and to 11 military bases; Alaska, with vast federal land holdings; and New Mexico, home to Los Alamos National Laboratory. —Irina Ivanova, CBS News, 12 May 2023

Its holding in Alibaba—adjusted for financing backed by the asset—is now worth only around $5 billion, compared with $39 billion a year earlier. —Jacky Wong, wsj.com, 11 May 2023

It is seen as a bellwether for economic health because of its wide range of holdings, from insurance to utilities to retail. —Prarthana Prakash, Fortune, 8 May 2023

McNevin believes the Diocese of Oakland has plenty of real estate holdings across the East Bay that could be sold to compensate victims and a bankruptcy is unnecessary. —Roland Li, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 May 2023

Its holdings include real estate, farms, historical buildings, and other revenue-producing assets. —Matt Ford, The New Republic, 5 May 2023

His holdings span from Buckingham Palace—the official headquarters of the monarchy, which Forbes estimates is worth $4.9 billion—to Highgrove House, a country residence in Gloucestershire that Charles first purchased in 1980 for £865,000 ($3.7 million today,) now valued at $39 million. —Giacomo Tognini, Forbes, 4 May 2023

To map the vulnerabilities of smaller banks across the country, the researchers calculated how much the Fed’s interest rate increases have reduced the value of the asset holdings for individual banks, compared with the value of its deposits. —Jim Tankersley, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2023

Adjective

Bryce Callahan was flagged for a non-holding call that nullified a pick and led to K.C.’s first score. —Nick Canepacolumnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2022

There were seven offensive penalties, most holding or false starts. —oregonlive, 6 Sep. 2022

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

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Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1568, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing holding

• hand-holding
• holding pattern
• holding company
• there's no holding him back

• hand-holding
• holding pattern
• holding company
• there's no holding him back

Kids Definition

holding

noun

hold·​ing

ˈhōl-diŋ

1

: property (as land or stocks) owned

—usually used in plural

decided to sell her holdings

2

: a ruling of a court

Legal Definition

holding

1 of 2 noun

hold·​ing

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

2 of 2 adjective

: intended for temporary custody or detention

a holding facility

a holding cell