holder

noun

hold·​er ˈhōl-dər How to pronounce holder (audio)
1
: a person that holds: such as
a(1)
: owner
(2)
: tenant
b
: a person in possession of and legally entitled to receive payment of a bill, note, or check
2
: a device that holds
a cigarette holder

Examples of holder in a Sentence

She is the holder of an honorary degree. the holder of a world record
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The new $100,000 fee only applies to new visas, not renewals or current visa holders, a White House official told NPR on Saturday. Maria Aspan, NPR, 20 Sep. 2025 But Leavitt clarified Saturday afternoon that any current H-1B holders who are outside the United States will not be charged $100,000 to reenter. Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2025 Amazon also warned holders of H-4 dependent visas, which are for spouses and dependents of H-1B visas, to remain in the US. Jason Ma, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025 Elon Musk, a former advisor to the president and former holder of the visa, previously advocated for the visa program. Richard Hall, Time, 20 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for holder

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of holder was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Holder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holder. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

holder

noun
hold·​er ˈhōl-dər How to pronounce holder (audio)
1
: a person that holds
especially : a legal owner
2
: a device that holds

Legal Definition

holder

noun
hold·​er
1
: a person that holds: as
a
: owner
the holder of a patent
often used in combination
a stockholder
b
: one that holds or occupies the property of another by agreement and especially under a lease
2
a
: a person who under the Uniform Commercial Code is in possession of a negotiable instrument that names and is made payable to the possessor or that is payable to bearer
b
: a person under the Uniform Commercial Code in possession of goods named in a document of title if the goods are deliverable to bearer or to the order of the possessor
3
in the civil law of Louisiana : an individual (as a trustee or debtor) or legal or commercial entity that under the Civil Code's provisions for disposition of unclaimed property is in possession of property belonging to another

More from Merriam-Webster on holder

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!