a state of inaction with no progress and no change; "you should go into a holding pattern until he gets over his disappointment" 
                                                            
                                                     
                        
                                                
                        
                        
                            the flight path (usually circular) maintained by an aircraft that is awaiting permission to land 
                                                            
                                                     
                        
                                                
                        
                        
                            a predetermined maneuver designed to keep an aircraft within a specified airspace
                                                            
                                                     
                        
                                                
                        
                        
                            racetrack shaped manoeuvre which keeps aircraft within a specified airspace while awaiting further clearance from air traffic control.