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 WebJoel Khalili, WIRED, 15 Apr. 2024
Arizona Paramount Corporation got rid of their holdings and pulled out of the community.
—Amanda Luberto, The Arizona Republic, 15 Apr. 2024
Creative House, the main company behind many of Hamm’s holdings, promotes itself as a diversified investment and development company.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2024
This holding required the Court to find that the Heart of Atlanta Motel and Ollie’s Barbecue were, in fact, part of interstate commerce.
—Louis Menand, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
The three stocks are also among the top-10 holdings of the iShare MSCI EM Ex-China ETF, which has doubled in value over the past five months.
—Srinivasan Sivabalan, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2024
Taxpayers with stocks, bonds and other capital assets worth over $100 million could also face a new 25% tax on the increase in the value of their holdings, regardless of whether they’ve been sold.
—David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
In an interview, Eric Trump, one of the former president’s sons, said the shift in the company’s hospitality industry holdings reflected the rapid growth of the golf industry since the pandemic, a trend that is benefiting the family’s 11 domestic golf clubs and its four overseas.
—Eric Lipton, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
In February, three insiders cut back their holdings.
—Gurufocus, Forbes, 29 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
In others, the scammers abandon the project after selling off their own token holdings, or fail to deliver on the promise of long-term support.
—Joel Khalili, WIRED, 15 Apr. 2024
Arizona Paramount Corporation got rid of their holdings and pulled out of the community.
—Amanda Luberto, The Arizona Republic, 15 Apr. 2024
Creative House, the main company behind many of Hamm’s holdings, promotes itself as a diversified investment and development company.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2024
This holding required the Court to find that the Heart of Atlanta Motel and Ollie’s Barbecue were, in fact, part of interstate commerce.
—Louis Menand, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
The three stocks are also among the top-10 holdings of the iShare MSCI EM Ex-China ETF, which has doubled in value over the past five months.
—Srinivasan Sivabalan, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2024
Taxpayers with stocks, bonds and other capital assets worth over $100 million could also face a new 25% tax on the increase in the value of their holdings, regardless of whether they’ve been sold.
—David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
In an interview, Eric Trump, one of the former president’s sons, said the shift in the company’s hospitality industry holdings reflected the rapid growth of the golf industry since the pandemic, a trend that is benefiting the family’s 11 domestic golf clubs and its four overseas.
—Eric Lipton, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
In February, three insiders cut back their holdings.
—Gurufocus, Forbes, 29 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 20 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share