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holding
/ˈhoʊldɪŋ/
property or assets owned
The company's holdings include real estate and stocks.
The company owns real estate and stocks.
Finance
formal
Something that is held or owned, typically property or assets.
The investor's holdings were diversified across multiple sectors.
The investor owned assets in many different industries.
Often used in financial contexts to refer to investments or property.
general
The action of keeping or maintaining something in one's possession.
The holding of the meeting was delayed due to technical issues.
The meeting was postponed because of technical problems.
Can also refer to the act of retaining something, such as a position or role.
Law
Law
A legal or administrative decision made by a court or authority.
The judge's holding in the case set a precedent for future rulings.
The judge's decision in the case created a legal standard for similar cases.
In legal contexts, a 'holding' refers to the court's ruling on a specific issue.
Collocations
financial holdingsassets owned by an individual or companylegal holdinga court's decision on a specific legal issueland holdingsproperty owned by an individual or entity
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Financial vs. Legal Holdings
In finance, 'holdings' refer to owned assets (e.g., stocks, real estate). In law, a 'holding' is a court's decision on a specific issue. Context determines the meaning.
Gold Rule
Avoid Ambiguity
If the context is unclear, specify whether 'holdings' refer to assets (finance) or a legal decision (law).
Word Origin
From the Old English 'healdan' (to hold), via Middle English 'holdinge'. The noun sense of 'property owned' emerged in the 17th century.
Usage Notes
In financial contexts, 'holdings' often refers to a portfolio of investments. In law, a 'holding' is a court's decision on a specific legal question. Avoid using 'holdings' to mean 'holdings' (e.g., a container) unless in a very specific context.
Word Breakdown
hold
to possess or maintain
root-ing
forms a gerund or noun indicating the action or result of the root
suffixEnglish Dictionary