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

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and his seemingly supernatural competence at both city management and marketing, has laid a blueprint for kitchen-table progressives looking to bust out of the Trump-era holding pattern.

From Salon ● Aug. 29, 2026

I contacted the other driver’s insurance company, and they said they’re waiting for the accident report before moving forward — so I’m basically in a holding pattern.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 3, 2026

Fulham are now very much in a Premier League holding pattern.

From BBC ● May 25, 2026

U.S. rates markets were moving from acute escalation risk toward a cautious holding pattern after the U.S.-Iran cease-fire, but confidence in durability remains limited, the strategists said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 10, 2026

The school week is like a holding pattern.

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