Word Explorer

Holding pattern

A path taken by an aircraft waiting to land.

📖 Definitions of "Holding pattern"

noun
  1. 1

    A path taken by an aircraft waiting to land.

  2. 2

    Any failure to advance; useless or unproductive activity.

    "This project is in a holding pattern until all the parts arrive."

💡 Words with a Similar Meaning to "Holding pattern"

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

WordDefinition
flow controlnoun(networking) The management of the data transmission rate between two nodes to prevent a fast sender from outrunning a slow receiver.
glide pathnoun(figuratively, by extension) A course that leads smoothly to a particular outcome.
approachnoun(also figuratively) An act of drawing near in place or time; an advancing or coming near.
glidepathnounAlternative form of glide path. [(aviation) The path of an aircraft as it lands under low power; especially, such a path advised to a pilot by radar assistance from the ground.]
airwaynoun(aviation) A flight path used by aeroplanes.
flight pathnounAn airway, the predefined route of travel for an aircraft or spacecraft.
flightpathnounAlternative spelling of flight path. [A trajectory, the traveled path of a projectile, rocket or aircraft through the air.]
autolandingnoun(aviation, uncountable) The process and procedure of autolanding, the action of to autoland.
airstopnoun(aviation) A designated landing site for helicopters.
balked landingnoun(aviation) A go-around initiated after the aircraft has already touched down on the runway.
happy landingsnoun(travel, especially aviation) Successful arrivals on land (by air or water), without any untoward incidents.
autolandnoun(aviation) A system which automatically lands a plane under autopilot
runwaynoun(aviation) A section of land, usually paved, for airplanes to land on or take off from.
air lanenounA designated route used by commercial aircraft when flying from one airport to another.
trapnounA machine or other device designed to catch (and sometimes kill) animals, either by holding them in a container, or by catching hold of part of the body.
movementnounPhysical motion between points in space.
taxiingverb(aviation) The movement of aircraft on the ground in readiness for takeoff or after landing.
flightnounThe act of flying.
touch-and-go landingnoun(aviation) A landing on a runway immediately followed by a takeoff without an intervening full stop.
loiter timenoun(aviation) The length of time a military aircraft can remain over a target, taking fuel endurance into account.

Translate “Holding pattern” into Another Language

Pick a language — the word will be pre-filled in the translator.

Home/Dictionary/Holding pattern