1
as in suspension
a state of temporary inactivity
repair work on the bridge was in a holding pattern for the duration of the winter
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2
as in delay
an instance or period of being prevented from going about one's business
the couple has been trapped in this holding pattern for six months, as adoption officials create more red tape
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Examples of holding pattern in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
If DeRozan took that, Miami would be just below the second apron and would not be able to re-sign Caleb Martin or Haywood Highsmith, who remain in a holding pattern while both those players and the Heat explore all their options.
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Barry Jackson and, Miami Herald, 2 July 2024
Just minutes after departure, the A350 aircraft entered a holding pattern just south of Hong Kong before returning to the airport a short while later, according to FlightRadar.
—Kristine Gill, Fortune Asia, 3 Sep. 2024
Like me, Mirch repeated the entire process, got the same result the second time around, and was in a DMV online holding pattern for 45 minutes, waiting for help.
—Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2024
No, until Biden announced his plans to step aside on Sunday afternoon, the Harris orbit was largely kept in a loyal holding pattern.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 26 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for holding pattern 
Barry Jackson and, Miami Herald, 2 July 2024
Just minutes after departure, the A350 aircraft entered a holding pattern just south of Hong Kong before returning to the airport a short while later, according to FlightRadar.
—Kristine Gill, Fortune Asia, 3 Sep. 2024
Like me, Mirch repeated the entire process, got the same result the second time around, and was in a DMV online holding pattern for 45 minutes, waiting for help.
—Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2024
No, until Biden announced his plans to step aside on Sunday afternoon, the Harris orbit was largely kept in a loyal holding pattern.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 26 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for holding pattern
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'holding pattern.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Holding pattern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20pattern. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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