The invention provides a lancing apparatus for moving a lancet holder (32) retaining a lancet in a lancing direction (N1) from a standby position to a lancing position together with the lancet so as to cause the lancet to stick into an object. In the lancing apparatus the lancet is inserted into the lancet holder (32) in a retreating direction (N2), thus to be retained by the lancet holder. The lancet holder (32) includes a first member and a second member (33, 34) relatively movable with respect to each other, so that the first and the second members (33), (34) are relatively moved so as to fix the lancet. Preferably, the lancet holder (32) is constructed such that at least either of the first and the second members (33, 34) applies a pressing force to the lancet, so as to fix the lancet.