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

After the chaos of Ben Stokes' retirement and the sacking of Brendon McCullum, England are in a strange holding pattern.

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 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

Instead, until officials know whether the inflationary effects of the Iran war will be contained or broad-based, the central bank seems to be stuck in a holding pattern.

From Barron's ● Apr. 9, 2026

The school week is like a holding pattern.

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