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 training set is the basis for everything, including to what degree the model infringes on the rights of IP holders and creators. —Kate Irwin, PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024

Recent holders of Barr’s position have resigned shortly after the election of a president from the opposite party, Michael Feroli, chief U.S. economist at JPMorgan Chase & Co., wrote in an October research note. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024

While Los Blancos were thrashed 4-0 by FC Barcelona in their last La Liga outing, AC Milan beat them 3-1 at the same ground in the Champions League to leave the holders of the competition in 17th place out of 36 teams. —Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Opponents say the burden will unfairly shift onto new homeowners, renters and other property holders. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

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