I. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English holdyng, gerund of holden to hold
1. : the act of one that holds or takes hold : hold , grip , clasp
2. : something that is held: as
a. : land held especially by a vassal of a superior : tenement
small holdings of less than 5 acres — Americana Annual
b. : an actual judgment or ruling of a court upon any issue of law raised in a case : the actual final decision of a court on the particular facts of a given case as distinguished from the dictum
difficult to find a recent … enactment that equals in impact and scope this judicial holding — J.P.Roche & M.M.Gordon
c. : any property that is owned or possessed — usually used in plural
record-breaking frozen fish holdings totaled 179 million pounds — Americana Annual
the holdings of American libraries — Current Biography
3. : something that holds : a means of holding : attachment , connection
4. : personal contact especially with the hands or arms that retards or interferes with the movement of an opponent in some sports (as basketball, football, soccer)
5. : a company or enterprise owned or controlled by a holding company
II. adjective
Etymology: Middle English holdyng, present participle of holden to hold
1. : effecting a delay : being a hindrance or interference
a holding action to prevent the passage of more drastic control legislation — E.P.Hutchinson
2. : designed for usually temporary storage or retention
a holding refrigerator at a railhead
a holding pen for the horses
shunted the cars onto the holding track