1
: having the effect of holding back or delaying something
the [war] represented a holding action against the spread of world Communism—
Sidney Offit
Sidney Offit2
: intended for usually temporary storage or retention
a holding tank
Synonyms
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 WebAndrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 3 Apr. 2024
Tesla continues to hire workers in the area, as are many of his other holdings.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2024
The catalog holds descriptions of NARA's holdings that researchers can use to locate files, but a computer can't always pick up the text within the files, NARA Catalog Community Manager Suzanne Isaacs told USA TODAY.
—USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024
Further, the reports only reflect trades and holdings as of the most-recent portfolio filing date, which may or may not be held by the reporting firm today or even when this article was published.
—Gurufocus, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Finally, watch waiters race the cobblestone streets of Paris holding trays full of items.
—CNN, 25 Mar. 2024
For curators, there was a lack of clarity about which modern tribes had claims to holdings dating back to before colonial record-keeping began.
—Julia Jacobs, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2024
Members of Congress have to report stock transactions within 45 days and disclose their overall stock holdings annually.
—Thomas Germain / Gizmodo, Quartz, 22 Mar. 2024
The turnaround last year — the stock had plunged 27% in 2022 — came after Warren Buffett sold his $5 billion TSMC holdings, citing geopolitical tensions as the reason given its location.
—John Cheng, Fortune Asia, 18 Mar. 2024
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
Noun
After being elected governor of California in 2018, Newsom placed his holdings in a blind trust.
—Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 3 Apr. 2024
Tesla continues to hire workers in the area, as are many of his other holdings.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2024
The catalog holds descriptions of NARA's holdings that researchers can use to locate files, but a computer can't always pick up the text within the files, NARA Catalog Community Manager Suzanne Isaacs told USA TODAY.
—USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024
Further, the reports only reflect trades and holdings as of the most-recent portfolio filing date, which may or may not be held by the reporting firm today or even when this article was published.
—Gurufocus, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Finally, watch waiters race the cobblestone streets of Paris holding trays full of items.
—CNN, 25 Mar. 2024
For curators, there was a lack of clarity about which modern tribes had claims to holdings dating back to before colonial record-keeping began.
—Julia Jacobs, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2024
Members of Congress have to report stock transactions within 45 days and disclose their overall stock holdings annually.
—Thomas Germain / Gizmodo, Quartz, 22 Mar. 2024
The turnaround last year — the stock had plunged 27% in 2022 — came after Warren Buffett sold his $5 billion TSMC holdings, citing geopolitical tensions as the reason given its location.
—John Cheng, Fortune Asia, 18 Mar. 2024
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
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'holding.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing holding
Articles Related to holding
Dictionary Entries Near holding
Cite this Entry
“Holding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holding. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
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
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
More from Merriam-Webster on holding
Nglish: Translation of holding for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of holding for Arabic Speakers
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