Definition

1. Noun:
   • A flight path (usually circular) maintained by an aircraft that is awaiting permission to land: A standard maneuver where an aircraft flies in a designated, often oval-shaped, path at a specified altitude while waiting for clearance from air traffic control to proceed with its approach and landing.
   • A state of inaction with no progress and no change: A figurative state where activity or progress is temporarily suspended or put on hold, often while waiting for a decision, an event, or a change in circumstances.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Aviation):

  • Due to heavy traffic at the airport, our plane was placed in a holding pattern for forty minutes.
  • The pilot announced we would enter a holding pattern until the runway was cleared.

• Noun (Figurative):

  • The entire project is in a holding pattern while we wait for the client's final approval.
  • After the initial talks, negotiations went into a holding pattern for several weeks.

Advanced Usage

• "to be in a holding pattern": To be in a state of temporary suspension or delay.

  • Our plans for expansion are in a holding pattern until the economic forecast improves.

• "to enter/go into a holding pattern": To begin a period of suspended activity or progress.

  • The merger discussions have entered a holding pattern due to regulatory concerns.

Variants and Related Words

• Hold (verb): To keep or detain. In aviation, "hold" is the instruction given by air traffic control to enter a holding pattern.
• Holding (noun/adj): The act of keeping or the state of being kept. In finance, it can refer to owned assets (e.g., stock holdings).

Synonyms

• Limbo: An intermediate, uncertain state awaiting a decision.
• Stasis: A period or state of inactivity or equilibrium.
• Standstill: A situation where all activity or progress has stopped.

Related Phrases

• Marking time: To act in a routine way while waiting for an opportunity to advance.

  • The team is just marking time in a holding pattern until the new manager arrives.

• On hold: Temporarily delayed or suspended.

  • All non-essential travel is on hold until further notice.

Related Idioms

• In a state of suspension: Not active or in effect for a time.

  • With the key witness unavailable, the trial is in a state of suspension.

• Treading water: Making no progress while maintaining one's position.

  • The company has been treading water in a holding pattern for the last quarter.

Noun

1. the flight path (usually circular) maintained by an aircraft that is awaiting permission to land
2. a state of inaction with no progress and no change
   • you should go into a holding pattern until he gets over his disappointment