holding company

noun

business : a company whose main business is owning more than half of another company's stock

Full Definition of HOLDING COMPANY

: a company whose primary business is holding a controlling interest in the securities of other companies — compare investment company

See holding company defined for English-language learners

1906

Next Word in the Dictionary: holding fundPrevious Word in the Dictionary: holding attackAll Words Near: holding company

What made you want to look up holding company? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Put-downs with flair

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears