holding pattern

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.

holding pattern

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of holding pattern¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Big picture: The economy is in a holding pattern of sorts.

Read more on MarketWatch

The latest data suggests that while price growth is no longer slowing, the market remains in a holding pattern.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

For now, October’s meeting looks like a holding pattern.

Read more on Barron's

For now, October’s meeting looks like a holding pattern, a modest step to keep policy aligned with a cooling economy until the data flow returns.

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Paramount, in particular, was stuck in a bit of a holding pattern over the last year, as the company awaited confirmation of its new ownership and federal approval of its takeover by Ellison’s Skydance Media.

Read more on Los Angeles Times