hold

¹hold

verb \ˈhōld\

held \ˈheld\ hold·ing

Definition of HOLD

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

— 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

Examples of HOLD

1. Hold the rail so you won't fall.
2. He was holding a large package in his arms.
3. Would you hold this for me?
4. She showed him the correct way to hold the racket.
5. Some people just don't like to be held.
6. He held her close and kissed her.
7. He held the pen in his mouth while he dialed the number.
8. Hold the pen upright when you write.
9. She picked up the trophy and held it over her head.
10. You have to hold the button down for several seconds.

Origin of HOLD

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to HOLD

Synonyms

clench, cling (to), clutch, grip, hang on to, hold on to

Antonyms

give up, hand over, release, relinquish, surrender, yield

Related Words

bear, carry; bag, capture, catch, collar, corral, grab, grapple, hook, land, latch (on or onto), nab, nail, seize, snap (up), snare, snatch, take, trap; feel, finger, handle, paw; clasp, embrace, grasp, hug; cradle

Near Antonyms

drop, give, hand, unclasp, unhand; cede, deliver, give up, hand out, hand over, release, relinquish, render, turn over, yield

See Synonym Discussion at contain

²hold

noun

Definition of HOLD

1

: stronghold 1

2

a : confinement, custody

b : prison

3

a (1) : the act or the manner of holding or grasping : grip <released his hold on the handle> (2) : a manner of grasping an opponent in wrestling

b : a nonphysical bond that attaches, restrains, or constrains or by which something is affected, controlled, or dominated <has lost its hold on the broad public — Oscar Cargill>

c : full comprehension <get hold of exactly what is happening — J. P. Lyford>

d : full or immediate control : possession <get hold of yourself> <wants to get hold of a road map>

e : touch 14 —used with of <tried to get hold of me>

4

: something that may be grasped as a support

5

a : fermata

b : the time between the onset and the release of a vocal articulation

6

: a sudden motionless posture at the end of a dance

7

a : an order or indication that something is to be reserved or delayed

b : a delay in a countdown (as in launching a spacecraft)

— on hold

1

: in a state of interruption during a telephone call when one party switches to another line without totally disconnecting the other party

2

: in a state or period of indefinite suspension <put our plans on hold>

First Known Use of HOLD

14th century

³hold

noun

Definition of HOLD

1

: the interior of a ship below decks; especially : the cargo deck of a ship

2

: the cargo compartment of a plane

Origin of HOLD

alteration of hole

First Known Use: 1591

Other Aeronautics/Aerospace Terms

airway, apron, corridor, dirigible, fishtail, flat-hat, vector