Word
holding
Phoneticshold·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhoʊɫdɪŋ/
UK/hˈəʊldɪŋ/
Definitions
01financial assets
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Formal
n. something you own, especially land, property, or shares in a company.
n. an item of property or a financial asset, such as stocks or bonds, held by an individual or entity.
“The billionaire has a large holding in several major technology companies.”
“The investment fund diversified its portfolio by reducing its holdings in fossil fuels and increasing its stake in renewable energy startups.”
Synonyms
02sports foul
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Sports
n. a mistake in a game where you illegally grab or pull another player.
n. an illegal tactic in various sports involving the restriction of an opponent's movement using the hands or arms.
“The referee called a penalty for holding during the final minutes of the game.”
“The offensive lineman was penalised for holding, resulting in a ten-yard loss that stalled the team's momentum near the end zone.”
Synonyms
03legal ruling
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Law Technical · Formal
n. a formal decision made by a judge or a court of law.
n. a court's determination of a matter of law based on the specific facts of a case.
“The court's holding changed how the law is applied to privacy cases.”
“Legal scholars debated the implications of the Supreme Court's holding, arguing that it significantly narrowed the scope of the existing statute.”
Real-World Examples
“The little boy was still holding onto his mother.” “Happy to have done that today."
Before the race, there were hopes of a British one-two-three on the podium, with Asher-Smith, Hunt and Eduan holding the three fastest times in Europe this year.” Word family
VERB
NOUN
Idioms
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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