Definition
A specified geographical location on an instrument approach or departure procedure, or along an airway, at which an aircraft is required or may be instructed to hold — that is, to remain in a defined airspace pattern — pending further clearance from air traffic control.
Plain English
A named spot in the air where ATC can tell a pilot to fly a circular waiting pattern until they're cleared to continue.
Context Anchor
You may see this term in air traffic control and instrument flying discussions when aircraft must wait in the air before continuing along a route or approach.
Derivation
From 'hold' (to keep in place) and 'point' (a defined location). The phrase reflects its function: a fixed geographic point where the aircraft is held in a pattern.
Why Pilots Care
Prevents runway incursions by ensuring aircraft remain clear of active runways until explicitly cleared to proceed.
Intuition Check
Do not read “holding point” as just any convenient place to stop or wait. In this use, it means a specified in-flight location assigned or recognized for maintaining position under air traffic control instructions.
Example Sentence 1
ATC instructed the pilot to proceed to the holding point at SHIRL intersection and hold as published.
Example Sentence 2
We completed the engine run-up at the holding point while waiting for takeoff clearance.