behold

verb

be·​hold bi-ˈhōld 

bē-

beheld bi-ˈheld 

bē-

; beholding

transitive verb

1

: to perceive through sight or apprehension : see

2

: to gaze upon : observe

It was a pleasure to behold the beauty of the sunset.

The enormous crowd was a sight to behold.

intransitive verb

—used in the imperative especially to call attention

beholder noun

Synonyms

• appreciate
• apprehend
• assimilate
• catch
• catch on (to)
• cognize
• compass
• comprehend
• conceive
• cotton (to or on to)
• decipher
• decode
• dig
• discern
• get
• grasp
• grok
• intuit
• know
• make
• make out
• perceive
• recognize
• register
• savvy
• see
• seize
• sense
• tumble (to)
• twig
• understand

Examples of behold in a Sentence

Those who have beheld the beauty of the desert never forget it.

to anyone who beholds the immense complexity of life on earth

Recent Examples on the Web

The ocean alone is a sight to behold, and the coastal sage scrub growing along the cliffs and trail add pops of greens, yellows and oranges to the otherwise blue scenery. —Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2024

While the upper echelons of the film industry spent yesterday evening lusting after golden statues, there was a much more inclusive wave of gold (and silver) to behold at the Vanity Fair Oscars After-Party. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2024

Some of the special effects and sets are a joy to behold. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024

Some people behold a wind turbine or a solar installation and see clean energy that will help stop global warming and make the United States more energy independent. —Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2024

And there are folks present, who continue to behold me with such love, and pride, and joy, and support in their hearts. —Andrea Lavinthal, Peoplemag, 29 Jan. 2024

But Gauff’s ability—at a mere 19 years of age—to play the fiercest tennis on the tour while remaining almost ridiculously self-possessed is a thing to behold, and should serve her well here. —Corey Seymour, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2024

At 602 feet high and 3,460 feet long, Shasta Dam is a wonder to behold. —Janet Fullwood, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2024

The parity and depth of high level teams is truly something to behold. —Susan M. Shaw, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, to keep, behold, from Old English behealdan, from be- + healdan to hold

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing behold

• a sight to see/behold
• a sight/wonder to behold
• lo and behold

Kids Definition

behold

verb

be·​hold bi-ˈhōld 

beheld -ˌheld  ; beholding

: to look upon : see

beholder noun