English Reference
noun

holding

n.
US /ˈhoʊɫdɪŋ/ UK /hˈəʊldɪŋ/ hold·ing UK spelling holdings

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    something you own, especially land, property, or shares in a company.

    an area of land held by lease or ownership, or a quantity of shares and bonds held by an investor.

    Simple

    The family has large land holdings in the northern part of the country.

    In context

    The investment fund diversified its portfolio by reducing its holdings in fossil fuels and increasing its stake in renewable energy startups.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Sport

    a mistake in a game where a player illegally grabs or stops an opponent.

    an illegal tactic in contact sports involving the restriction of an opponent's movement using the hands or arms.

    Simple

    The referee called a penalty for holding after the defender grabbed the striker's shirt.

    In context

    The offensive lineman was flagged for holding, resulting in a ten-yard penalty that stalled the team's momentum late in the fourth quarter.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced FormalTechnical Law

    a decision made by a judge or a court of law.

    a court's determination of a matter of law based on the issues presented in a particular case.

    Simple

    The court's holding changed how the law is applied to privacy cases.

    In context

    Legal scholars debated the implications of the Supreme Court's holding, arguing that the narrow ruling failed to address the broader constitutional questions at hand.

Usage holding three

The little boy was still holding onto his mother.

BBC News· 14 Aug 2026

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.

BBC News· 13 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Very common
Updated