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 verb1 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 verb1 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 up2: to derive right or title —often used with of or from3: to be or remain valid : apply <the rule holds in most cases> —often used in the phrase hold true4: 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 command8: to stop counting during a countdown9slang : 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 temporarily2: 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-handed2: to bear alone a responsibility that should have been shared by others

— hold the fort

1: to maintain a firm position2: 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