Main Entry: ¹hold

Pronunciation: \ˈhōld\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): held \ˈheld\; hold·ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English healdan; akin to Old High German haltan to hold, and perhaps to Latin celer rapid, Greek klonos agitation

Date: before 12th century

transitive verb 1 a : to have possession or ownership of or have at one's disposal <holds property worth millions> <the bank holds the title to the car> b : to have as a privilege or position of responsibility <hold a professorship> c : to have as a mark of distinction <holds the record for the 100-yard dash> <holds a PhD>
2 : to keep under restraint <hold price increases to a minimum>: as a : to prevent free expression of <hold your temper> b : to prevent from some action <ordered the troops to hold fire> <the only restraining motive which may hold the hand of a tyrant — Thomas Jefferson> c : to keep back from use <ask them to hold a room for us> <I'll have a hot dog, and hold the mustard> d : to delay temporarily the handling of <please hold all my calls>
3 : to make liable or accountable or bound to an obligation <I'll hold you to your promise>
4 a : to have or maintain in the grasp <hold my hand> <this is how you hold the racket>; also : aim, point <held a gun on them> b : to support in a particular position or keep from falling or moving <hold me up so I can see> <hold the ladder steady> <a clamp holds the whole thing together> <hold your head up> c : to bear the pressure of : support <can the roof hold all of that weight>
5 : to prevent from leaving or getting away <hold the train>: as a : to avoid emitting or letting out <how long can you hold your breath> b : to restrain as or as if a captive <the suspect was held without bail> <held them at gunpoint>; also : to have strong appeal to <the book held my interest throughout>
6 a : to enclose and keep in a container or within bounds : contain <the jug holds one gallon> <this corral will not hold all of the horses> b : to be able to consume easily or without undue effect <can't hold any more pie>; especially : to be able to drink (alcoholic beverages) without becoming noticeably drunk <can't hold your liquor> c : accommodate <the restaurant holds 400 diners> d : to have as a principal or essential feature or attribute <the book holds a number of surprises>; also : to have in store <no one knows what the future holds>
7 a : to have in the mind or express as a judgment, opinion, or belief <I hold the view that this is wrong> <hold a grudge> <holding that it is nobody's business but his — Jack Olsen> —often used with against <in America they hold everything you say against you — Paul McCartney> b : to think of in a particular way : regard <were held in high esteem>
8 a : to assemble for and carry on the activity of <held a convention> b : to cause to be carried on : conduct <will hold a seminar> c : to produce or sponsor especially as a public exhibition <will hold an art show>
9 a : to maintain occupation, control, or defense of <the troops held the ridge>; also : to resist the offensive efforts or advance of <held the opposing team to just two points> b : to maintain (a certain condition, situation, or course of action) without change <hold a course due east>
10 : to cover (a part of the body) especially for protection <had to hold their ears because of the cold>intransitive verb 1 a : to maintain position : refuse to give ground <the defensive line is holding> b : to continue in the same way or to the same degree : last <hopes the weather will hold> —often used with up
2 : to derive right or title —often used with of or from
3 : to be or remain valid : apply <the rule holds in most cases> —often used in the phrase hold true
4 : to maintain a grasp on something : remain fastened to something <the anchor held in the rough sea>
5 : to go ahead as one has been going <held south for several miles>
6 : to bear or carry oneself <asked him to hold still>
7 : to forbear an intended or threatened action : halt, pause —often used as a command
8 : to stop counting during a countdown
9 slang : to have illicit drug material in one's possession

synonyms see contain

— hold a brief for : advocate, defend —usually used in negative constructions <I hold no brief for cartels and market allocations — J. D. Upham>

— hold a candle to : to qualify for comparison with

— hold court : to be the center of attention among friends or admirers

— hold forth : to speak at length : expatiate

— hold hands : to engage one's hand with another's especially as an expression of affection

— hold one's breath 1 : to prevent oneself from breathing temporarily
2 : to wait in anxious anticipation

— hold one's horses : to slow down or stop for a moment —usually used in the imperative

— hold one's own : to maintain one's position : prove equal to opposition

— hold one's tongue or hold one's peace : to keep silent : keep one's thoughts to oneself

— hold sway : to have a dominant influence : rule

— hold the bag 1 : to be left empty-handed
2 : to bear alone a responsibility that should have been shared by others

— hold the fort 1 : to maintain a firm position
2 : to take care of usual affairs <is holding the fort until the manager returns>

— hold the line : to maintain the current position or situation <hold the line on prices>

— hold to : to give firm assent to : adhere to strongly <holds to his promise>

— hold to account : to hold responsible

— hold water : to stand up under criticism or analysis

— hold with : to agree with or approve of