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

Scores range from 10 to 50, except for the visa category, which is the number of countries that passport holders can enter without needing a visa. —Monica Pitrelli, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2025

Costs of living in Canada can be high, but U.S. dollar holders have a currency advantage against the Canadian dollar, which enhances their spending power. —Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025

Here's what the experts say there is to know about their rights: MORE: Columbia student sues Trump after official says her permanent legal status in the US is revoked What rights do student visa or green card holders have if they are threatened with deportation? —Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 31 Mar. 2025

Lottery officials shared news of the big win over the weekend, before the lucky ticket holder would have been able to claim their $268,966 prize. —Simone Jasper, Charlotte Observer, 31 Mar. 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

Rhymes for holder

• bolder
• bowlder
• colder
• folder
• golder
• molder
• moulder
• older
• polder
• shoulder
• beholder
• bondholder

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