What is holding? What is holding? Land rented or leased from another.Legally owned property, such as land, capital, or stocks. Often used in the plural.The collection of books and other reading materials at a library. Law A court ruling, especially a ruling on a point of law raised in an official proceeding.Sports Illegal use of the arms, hands, body, or playing stick to obstruct the movements of an opponent.Tending to impede or delay progress: a holding action. Designed for usually short-term storage or retention: a holding tank; a holding cell.