What is the meaning of holding pattern?

noun

  • A state of inaction with no progress and no change.
    • usage: "you should go into a holding pattern until he gets over his disappointment"
  • The flight path (usually circular) maintained by an aircraft that is awaiting permission to land. .
WordNet 3.0 © 2006 by Princeton University
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APAWordNet. (2010). holding pattern. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/holding_pattern/definitions/1224062
ChicagoWordNet. 2010. "holding pattern" http://smartdefine.org/holding_pattern/definitions/1224062 (accessed September 20, 2026).
HarvardWordNet 2010, holding pattern, Smart Define, viewed 20 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/holding_pattern/definitions/1224062>.
MLAWordNet. "holding pattern" 23 October 2010. Web. 20 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/holding_pattern/definitions/1224062>