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

Yet a six-figure job gain and small dip in the unemployment rate were beheld by some eyes as inconsistent with a worrisome downturn. —Michael Santoli, CNBC, 7 Sep. 2024

Its yellow and black, daisy-like flowers are beautiful to behold, and goldfinches adore the seeds. —Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Aug. 2024

Galactic Center Our own Milky Way is a dazzling spectacle to behold from a dark-sky site on Earth. —Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 July 2024

This story has been updated as of 9:09 am EST on July 18 to reflect current sale prices Just because the sales event is over doesn’t mean there aren’t lots of quality last minute Prime Day home deals to behold. —Rachel Fletcher, Architectural Digest, 18 July 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