Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun holding_pattern

2 senses of holding pattern

Sense 1
holding pattern -- (a state of inaction with no progress and no change; "you should go into a holding pattern until he gets over his disappointment")
       => inaction, inactivity, inactiveness -- (the state of being inactive)

Sense 2
holding pattern -- (the flight path (usually circular) maintained by an aircraft that is awaiting permission to land)
       => air lane, flight path, airway, skyway -- (a designated route followed by airplanes in flying from one airport to another)