HOLDING PATTERN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does holding pattern mean? 

• HOLDING PATTERN (noun)
  The noun HOLDING PATTERN has 2 senses:

1. a state of inaction with no progress and no change

2. the flight path (usually circular) maintained by an aircraft that is awaiting permission to land

  Familiarity information: HOLDING PATTERN used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• HOLDING PATTERN (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A state of inaction with no progress and no change

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Context example:

you should go into a holding pattern until he gets over his disappointment

Hypernyms ("holding pattern" is a kind of...):

inaction; inactiveness; inactivity (the state of being inactive)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The flight path (usually circular) maintained by an aircraft that is awaiting permission to land

Classified under:

Nouns denoting spatial position

Hypernyms ("holding pattern" is a kind of...):

air lane; airway; flight path; skyway (a designated route followed by airplanes in flying from one airport to another)