Noun: holding pattern
- The flight path (usually circular) maintained by an aircraft that is awaiting permission to land
"Due to heavy traffic, several planes were put into a holding pattern above the airport"
- A state of inaction with no progress and no change
"you should go into a holding pattern until he gets over his disappointment"
Derived forms: holding patterns
Type of: air lane, airway, flight path, inaction, inactiveness, inactivity, skyway
Encyclopedia: Holding pattern