Plain English Meaning
It's a racetrack-shaped pattern shown on an approach chart that pilots fly to turn around and line up with the final approach. It replaces the older barb-shaped procedure turn and must be flown the way it's drawn — same direction, same altitude, same size.
Full Definition
A holding pattern published on an instrument approach chart that is flown in place of a procedure turn to reverse course and align the aircraft with the final approach course. When charted with the holding-in-lieu-of-procedure-turn symbol, the pattern is a required course reversal maneuver, flown on the depicted inbound course, at the charted altitude, and within the depicted leg lengths or timing.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument approach charts, especially where a holding pattern is published in place of a normal procedure turn.
Derivation
Procedure comes from a Latin word meaning “to go forward” or “to proceed,” and in aviation it means a prescribed way to do something. That helps here because this is not just any holding pattern; it is the charted method for turning around during the approach.
Why Pilots Care
It provides a published, protected method to reverse course and descend without requiring a separate procedure turn segment, reducing workload and ensuring obstacle clearance.
Intuition Check
Do not read “holding pattern” here as simply waiting in the air. In this term, the holding-pattern shape is being used as the published turn-around maneuver for the approach.
Example Sentence 1
Cleared for the approach, the pilot entered the procedure turn holding pattern, completed one circuit, and rolled out inbound on the final approach course.
Example Sentence 2
When the approach plate shows holding in lieu of procedure turn, the crew enters the procedure turn holding pattern on the published inbound leg.