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

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

From BBC • May 25, 2026

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

Tuesday to enter a holding pattern over the Gulf of Oman.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 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

But the room, although dim, isn’t dark enough, so I switch my mind into the holding pattern that passes for attention.

From "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood