holder

American  

[hohl-der] / ˈhoʊl dər /

noun

1. something that holds or secures.

   a pencil holder.

2. a person who has the ownership, possession, or use of something; owner; tenant.

3. Law. a person who has the legal right to enforce a negotiable instrument.

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holder British  

/ ˈhəʊldə /

noun

1. a person or thing that holds

2. 1. a person, such as an owner, who has possession or control of something

   2. ( in combination )

      householder

3. law a person who has possession of a bill of exchange, cheque, or promissory note that he is legally entitled to enforce

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• preholder
  noun
• holdership
  noun

Etymology

Origin of holder

First recorded in 1300–50, holder is from the Middle English word haldere. See hold ¹, -er ¹

Related Words

• buyer
• landowner
• partner
• purchaser