English dictionary

holding Meaning & Definition

What Does Holding Mean?

As a verb, holding means To grasp or grip. It is also used to mean To contain or store. As a noun, it means Something that one owns, especially stocks and bonds.

Quick Facts About Holding

Part of speech	verb, noun
Synonyms	retention, retentive and retaining
Antonyms	release

Holding Definition (Verb)

To grasp or grip.
Hold the pencil like this.
To contain or store.
This package holds six bottles.
(heading) To maintain or keep to a position or state.
(heading) To maintain or keep to particular opinions, promises, actions.
To win one's own service game.
To take place, to occur.
To organise an event or meeting (usually in passive voice).
Elections will be held on the first Sunday of next month.
To derive right or title.
In a food or drink order at an informal restaurant etc., requesting that a component normally included in that order be omitted.
A martini, please, and hold the olive.
To be in possession of illicit drugs for sale.

Holding as a Noun

Something that one owns, especially stocks and bonds.
A determination of law made by a court.
A tenure; a farm or other estate held of another.
That which holds, binds, or influences.
Logic; consistency.
The burden or chorus of a song.
(in texts about Russia) A holding company, or other kind of company (by back-translation from Russian холдинг).

Synonyms of Holding

retention retentive retaining belongings material possession keeping property clasp grasp grip own happen

Holding synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Holding

release

Holding in a Sentence

Hold the pencil like this.

This package holds six bottles.

Elections will be held on the first Sunday of next month.

A martini, please, and hold the olive.

Words That Rhyme With Holding

scolding withholding molding upholding unfolding beholding handholding folding shareholding landholding moulding golding stockholdingquirk moldingquirk mouldingunderwithholdingbankholdingboldinggold hunghold ingkoldingshipholding

Quick Answers About Holding

Is holding a verb or a noun?

Holding is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun.

What is another word for holding?

Words with a similar meaning to holding include retention, retentive and retaining. See the full list of holding synonyms and antonyms.