holder

noun

hold·​er ˈhōl-dər 

1

: a person that holds: such as

a(1)

: owner

(2)

: tenant

b

: a person in possession of and legally entitled to receive payment of a bill, note, or check

2

: a device that holds

a cigarette holder

Synonyms

• owner
• possessor
• proprietor

Examples of holder in a Sentence

She is the holder of an honorary degree.

the holder of a world record

Recent Examples on the Web

The pass is $80 per year and allows two pass holders to be listed on it, each marked with a signature on the back of the card. —Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 9 Jan. 2025

Japan is ranked No. 2, with visa-free access to 193 spots, while the four European countries that were tied for the top spot last year, plus Finland and South Korea, share third place, with each granting passport holders the ability to visit 192 destinations without needing a visa. —Monica Pitrelli, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2025

Toilet brush and holder set: on sale for $11.99 Original price: $16.99 (Amazon) Bent this flat silicone toilet brush head to fit the angle of the rim and for reaching under the rim. —Nora Colomer, Fox News, 8 Jan. 2025

In 2025, Singaporeans enjoy visa-free access to 169 more destinations than Afghan passport holders, who need a visa to enter all but 26 destinations in the world. —Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing holder

• co-holder
• holder in due course
• pot holder
• record holder
• slave holder

Kids Definition

holder

noun

hold·​er ˈhōl-dər 

1

: a person that holds

especially : a legal owner

2

: a device that holds

Legal Definition

holder

noun

hold·​er

1

: a person that holds: as

a

: owner

the holder of a patent

—often used in combination

a stockholder

b

: one that holds or occupies the property of another by agreement and especially under a lease

2

a

: a person who under the Uniform Commercial Code is in possession of a negotiable instrument that names and is made payable to the possessor or that is payable to bearer

b

: a person under the Uniform Commercial Code in possession of goods named in a document of title if the goods are deliverable to bearer or to the order of the possessor

3

in the civil law of Louisiana : an individual (as a trustee or debtor) or legal or commercial entity that under the Civil Code's provisions for disposition of unclaimed property is in possession of property belonging to another