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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

holder

HOHL-duh

Holder (noun) means a person who owns, possesses, or is entitled to something, such as a ticket, title, or account. Example: “Only ticket holders were allowed past the gate.”

noun
1
A person who owns, possesses, or is entitled to something, such as a ticket, title, or account.
"Only ticket holders were allowed past the gate."
"She became the record holder after her fastest lap of the season."
2
An object designed to hold or contain something.
"He kept his pens in a wooden holder on the desk."

How to Use Holder

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone (or something) that holds, owns, or contains something.

Common pairings
ticket holder record holder candle holder title holder

Word Forms

holders plural

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Test yourself on “holder” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Only ticket _____ were allowed past the gate.

Etymology

From "hold" plus the agent suffix "-er," meaning "one who holds."

Related Words

Rhymes for holder

See all rhymes for holder →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “holder” mean?

The word “holder” means a person who owns, possesses, or is entitled to something, such as a ticket, title, or account. In plain terms, someone (or something) that holds, owns, or contains something.

How do you pronounce “holder”?

“Holder” is pronounced HOHL-duh (/ˈhoʊɫdɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “holder” in a sentence?

Here is “holder” used in a sentence: “Only ticket holders were allowed past the gate.”

What part of speech is “holder”?

“Holder” is a noun.

Is “holder” a common word?

“Holder” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “holder” have?

“Holder” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who owns, possesses, or is entitled to something, such as a ticket, title, or account.

What is the difference between a holder and an owner?

A holder is someone who currently possesses or is entitled to something, such as a ticket, account, or title. An owner has legal ownership of it. The two often overlap, but 'holder' stresses present possession or entitlement, while 'owner' stresses legal title.

What is the difference between a holder and a container?

In the object sense, a holder is designed to keep something in place or support it, such as a pen holder or candle holder. A container is made to enclose or store something inside it, like a box or jar.

Is 'holder' written as one word in terms like cardholder and shareholder?

Compounds such as cardholder, shareholder, stakeholder, and placeholder are usually written as a single word. Some newer or less-fixed combinations, like 'title holder,' may appear as two words or hyphenated depending on the style guide.

What is the difference between a holder and a bearer?

A holder is a person entitled to or in possession of something. A bearer is specifically the person who physically carries or presents an item, such as a bearer of a cheque or document, and often has rights simply by holding it.

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