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

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

Most Fed watchers and investors also think the central bank will stay in a holding pattern until Powell’s second and last term as chairman ends in May.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 30, 2026

WASHINGTON—The Federal Reserve entered a new holding pattern on interest rates Wednesday and signaled little urgency to resume cuts after contentious reductions at officials’ three previous meetings.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 28, 2026

Seaport Research Partners’ David Joyce said the margin concerns were “overblown,” but added that shares ought to remain in likely in “a deal-related holding pattern for awhile.”

From Barron's • Jan. 21, 2026

It wasn’t until the third holding pattern southwest of Kennedy Airport that Klotz told ATC that he didn’t think the plane had enough fuel to reach an alternative airport.

From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell