holding pattern

About 0.11 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. noun A path taken by an aircraft waiting to land.

   The plane flew in a holding pattern for half an hour because one runway was closed.

2. noun Any failure to advance; useless or unproductive activity.

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

Similar words

flow control glide path approach glidepath airway flight path flightpath autolanding airstop balked landing

Word family

holding patterns