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

What happens to unclaimed property? Organizations have between one and five years to try to reunite account holders with their property, depending on the state and industry. —New York Daily News Special Sections, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2025

Cup holders are one of the few design elements that every car owner seems to be passionate about. —Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2025

According to Mister Guns, an online firearm retailer, all online gun purchases must be shipped to an FFL holder, where the buyer must complete the necessary background checks and paperwork before taking possession of the firearm. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025

Participants will be able to make their personalized tortilla holder at the initial maker space lab at 6 p.m. on March 5 on the library’s lower level giving the public its first opportunity to try the new equipment. —Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 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