holder

American  

[hohl-der] / ˈhoʊl dər /

noun

1. something that holds or secures.

   a pencil holder.

2. a person who has the ownership, possession, or use of something; owner; tenant.

3. Law. a person who has the legal right to enforce a negotiable instrument.

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holder British  

/ ˈhəʊldə /

noun

1. a person or thing that holds

2. 1. a person, such as an owner, who has possession or control of something

   2. ( in combination )

      householder

3. law a person who has possession of a bill of exchange, cheque, or promissory note that he is legally entitled to enforce

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Other Word Forms

• holdership noun
• preholder noun

Etymology

Origin of holder

First recorded in 1300–50, holder is from the Middle English word haldere. See hold ¹, -er ¹

Example Sentences

Sun has said the purchase made him the biggest holder of $TRUMP coins.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

Strategy, the largest corporate Bitcoin holder, acquired roughly $2.5 billion in Bitcoin, its biggest weekly purchase since November 2024.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

But, according to the bookmakers and some players, China's first world champion and reigning title holder Zhao Xintong starts as favourite having won four events this season, including three of the past five ranking tournaments.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

The largest holder of bitcoin, briefly, was back in the black for the first time since January.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

This was a contest judged by our mother, in which the holder of the darkest tan was awarded a crown, a sash, and a scepter.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris

Related Words

• buyer
• landowner
• partner
• purchaser