holding
HOHL-ding
/ˈhəʊl.dɪŋ/
A maneuver in which an aircraft flies a racetrack-shaped pattern while awaiting clearance to land or proceed.
Refers specifically to an airborne delay pattern flown over a fixed navigational fix.
The story behind the word. From Old English 'healdan', meaning to maintain or keep in custody. In modern aviation, holding came to describe the technique where planes circle a radio beacon to hold position safely.
Word relationships
- circling: Circling is any curved flight path, whereas holding is a precisely calibrated oval navigation circuit.
- waiting: Waiting is general inaction; holding involves active precise piloting in a specified flight path.
- proceeding: Continuing along the flight path toward destination.
Commonly confused with
- divert: Holding waits near destination; diverting leaves for a different airport entirely.
Word family
- hold (verb): To perform a racetrack pattern or maintain position.
Collocations
- holding pattern
- enter holding
- holding instruction
- holding pattern delay
Idioms & expressions
- in a holding pattern
Example sentences
- "Severe weather at the destination forced dozens of planes into holding patterns over the city." Air Traffic Delays
- "The controller issued holding instructions at twenty thousand feet due to airport congestion." Flight Management
Memory hook
HOLD your position in a racetrack loop. Circling in the sky while waiting.
When not to use
Do not confuse airborne holding patterns with ground taxiway holding instructions.
Fun facts
- The phrase in a holding pattern entered general English in the 1950s to describe postponed action.
Related words
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