holding pattern

American  

noun

1. a traffic pattern for aircraft at a specified location holding point where they are ordered to remain until permitted to land or proceed.

2. a state or period in which no progress or change is made or planned.

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holding pattern British  

noun

1. the oval or circular path of an aircraft flying around an airport awaiting permission to land

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Etymology

Origin of holding pattern

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

holding pattern

For now, prices are “in a holding pattern, waiting to see if the extra reserves pumped into the market run out before the patience of the warring parties,” he said.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 30, 2026

Treasury yields were little changed as ambiguous signals from the White House about the path forward in the Middle East keep traders in a holding pattern.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 1, 2026

The Flightradar24 tracking website earlier showed planes circling above the airport in an apparent holding pattern.

From Barron's ● Mar. 8, 2026

So, as it stands, both Jersey and the Isle of Man are in a holding pattern, waiting for their respective assisted dying bills to get pass into law.

From BBC ● Feb. 26, 2026

The school week is like a holding pattern.

From "Ask the Passengers" by A.S. King