What does the term "hold" refer to in air traffic control?

The term "hold" in air traffic control specifically refers to a procedure where an aircraft is instructed to circle in a designated area or pattern until it receives further instructions from air traffic control. This can occur when traffic congestion at an airport requires pilots to delay their landing, or when weather conditions are not favorable for landing. During this holding procedure, the aircraft will typically maintain specified altitude and airspeed, following a defined flight path that allows for a safe and orderly flow of air traffic.

Understanding this definition highlights the importance of holding as a part of air traffic management, ensuring that aircraft can remain safely in the air while waiting for clearance to land. The concept of holding does not pertain to maintaining a specific altitude or preparing for landing directly but focuses on the need for planes to remain airborne within specified parameters until instructed to proceed.