Holding
ˈhəʊldɪŋ
Definitions
3 meaningsThe present participle of the verb 'to hold', referring to the act of grasping, carrying, or keeping something.
ˈhəʊldɪŋ
The action of keeping something in one's grasp or possession
He is holding the baby carefully.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're at a party and someone asks you to hold their drink. Holding means keeping something in your hands or control for a while, like a secret or a promise. It's like babysitting a treasure!
👶 For kids: When you're holding something, it means you are keeping it in your hands!
More Examples
The bank is holding our mortgage.
She was holding back her tears.
How It's Used
"She is holding a book."
"The company is holding a large amount of cash."
Something, especially property or shares of a company, that is owned by a person or organization.
ˈhəʊldɪŋ
A possession or something that is held
His personal holdings were quite extensive.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a collection of toys, stamps, or even your favorite books. Your 'holdings' are all the things you own and keep safe. In business, it means the investments or property a company owns, like stocks or real estate. It's like having a treasure chest of important things!
👶 For kids: Holdings are all the things you own!
More Examples
The company's holdings are diversified across different industries.
They decided to sell their agricultural holdings.
How It's Used
"The company's holdings include stocks and real estate."
"The mine has extensive mineral holdings."
Relating to the act of holding, or used to hold something.
ˈhəʊldɪŋ
Describing something that keeps something in place or in use
The holding bolts secured the structure.
💡 Simply: Imagine a glue that has a very good stickiness to something or keeping it from moving. Holding is the act of securing or keeping an object in place. So, holding is the quality that allows something to stick together or stay in place.
👶 For kids: Being able to keep things in place, like how glue is holding something!
More Examples
The holding adhesive kept the components together.
The holding power of the clamp was sufficient.
How It's Used
"Holding bolts are used to secure the structure."
"The court made a holding on the case"
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
hold your horses
To be patient; wait a moment.
"Hold your horses! We haven't finished preparing the food yet."
hold the fort
To take charge in someone's absence, or to continue performing a task until someone returns.
"I'll hold the fort here while you go to the meeting."
From Middle English *holdinge*, present participle of holden (to hold), from Old English *healdan* (to hold, keep).
The word 'hold' and its various forms have been used in English since Old English, reflecting the fundamental human actions of grasping, keeping, and possessing.