holding

[ hohl-ding ]

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that holds. hold.
2. a section of land leased or otherwise tenanted, especially for agricultural purposes.
3. a company owned by a holding company.
4. Often holdings. legally owned property, especially stocks, bonds, or real estate.
5. holdings, Library Science. the entire collection of books, periodicals, and other materials in a library.
6. Sports. the illegal obstruction of an opponent, as in football, basketball, or ice hockey, by use of the hands, arms, or stick.

holding

/ ˈhəʊldɪŋ /

noun

1. land held under a lease and used for agriculture or similar purposes
2. often plural property to which the holder has legal title, such as land, stocks, shares, and other investments
3. sport the obstruction of an opponent with the hands or arms, esp in boxing

adjective

1. informal.
   in funds; having money

Other Words From

• pre·holding noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of holding¹

First recorded in 1175–1225, holding is from the Middle English word holding. See hold ¹, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

His lease was not with Regal Rose but another holding company owned by Singh’s wife and business partner, Preet Johal.

From ProPublica

In late July, for example, Omnicom opened offices for employees who wanted to have a place to work and returning was “totally optional,” according to the holding company.

From Digiday

It’s somewhat surprising, then, that Warren Buffett, the greatest “value” investor of all time, just dumped a huge chunk of his holdings in what looks like one of the market’s cheapest pockets, commercial banks.

From Fortune

Unlisted real estate also fell while fixed-income holdings rose.

From Fortune

That water could end up close to a volcanic chamber holding magma.

From Science News For Students

When we had that meeting in the Caribbean, Jeffrey was holding his own and not only was he a pleasant host, he was pleasant guy.

From The Daily Beast

After walking block after block holding that container, he had suddenly discarded it and was now clutching a gun.

From The Daily Beast

He stood holding his 21-month-old son, Jamison, his wife, Kelly, at his side.

From The Daily Beast

Hatuey asked the religious man holding the flame if indeed any Christians were in heaven.

From The Daily Beast

He is holding on to life with the hope that he will again be allowed to see his son.

From The Daily Beast

She was holding the back of her chair with one hand; her loose sleeve had slipped almost to the shoulder of her uplifted arm.

From Project Gutenberg

Their glances met, she holding him always at arm's length by that grip upon his shoulders, a grip that was firm and nervous.

From Project Gutenberg

Two many-branched candelabra, holding wax lights, brilliantly illuminate the game.

From Project Gutenberg

He was holding his big head high in the air, like a giraffe, and gazing proudly about him as he ran.

From Project Gutenberg

One of the little girls in pigtails was holding him, while Miss Anne administered the feeding-bottle.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• equity
• goods
• ownership
• property