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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Recent Examples of holding pattern
But first up on the witness stand was John Idol, CEO of Capri Holdings, who made clear the struggling Michael Kors brand and Capri, which is itself in a kind of holding pattern pending the deal’s closure, can’t afford to wait for the case to wind through the legal system.
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Evan Clark, WWD, 9 Sep. 2024
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.
—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
See all Example Sentences for holding pattern 
Evan Clark, WWD, 9 Sep. 2024
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.
—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
See all Example Sentences for holding pattern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding pattern
Noun
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Does a teenager really operate such that a six-game suspension prospect as against a one-game suspension prospect (the NCS policy) tips the scale in his psyche in favor of exercising self-restraint?Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
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In these informal removals, a parent is called to pick up a student early or asked not to bring them to school–without a formal suspension or disciplinary action.Emily Harvey, The Denver Post, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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PCMag spoke to one reservation holder who cancelled their preorder after learning of the launch delay, unwilling to further delay their car purchase.Emily Dreibelbis Forlini, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
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By the end of the night, state officials think 98% of ballots will be tallied, though some votes from counties impacted by Hurricane Helene may face delays.Joe Walsh, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The thrilling real-time narrative follows a delivery rider in Spain, weaving together a dangerous delivery mission with her unfolding personal crises, creating layers of suspense and drama.John Hopewell, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024
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In this case, the audience is able to follow the unraveling within the Charles family household as suspense builds once Berniece lays her fingers on the piano’s keys.Malik William, Essence, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Within the first hour of voting, several voters reported wait times between 30 to 45 minutes.Madison Lammert, Journal Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2024
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About two dozen voting locations in Pima County saw wait times of more than 20 minutes.Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 6 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The gold-standard method for preserving organs prior to transplantation is static cold storage, which involves flushing the organ with preservation solution at zero to 4 °C (32–39 °F) before immersing it in preservation solution at the same temperature.New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2024
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Kulkarni, of Rourkela, said the success of his city’s cold storage program has been even more satisfying because many cities in India have already replicated and other countries are looking at starting similar programs as well.Kali Hays, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near holding pattern
Cite this Entry
“Holding pattern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20pattern. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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