behold

verb

be·​hold bi-ˈhōld How to pronounce behold (audio)
bē-
beheld bi-ˈheld How to pronounce behold (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Falco is something to behold, for sure, but that character and that performance only work so well because of the work Merritt Wever, as Nurse Zoey, is doing alongside her. Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025 Just his genuine curiosity was great to behold and be a part of. Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025 Back in 1989, when ESPN signed a four-year, $500 million deal to bring baseball to the cable sports giant starting in 1990, the relationship was beautiful to behold. Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2025 Woods' reaction was something to behold, as the fans went wild, still in disbelief. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for behold

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of behold was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Behold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behold. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

behold

verb
be·​hold bi-ˈhōld How to pronounce behold (audio)
beheld -ˌheld How to pronounce behold (audio) ; beholding
: to look upon : see
beholder noun

More from Merriam-Webster on behold

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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