hold-down

1 of 2

noun

ˈhōl(d)-ˌdau̇n 

1

: something used to fasten an object in place

2

a

: an act of holding down

b

: limit

agreed to wage-rate hold-downs

hold down

2 of 2

verb

held down; holding down; holds down

transitive verb

1

: to keep within limits

hold the noise down

2

: to assume or have responsibility for

holding down two jobs

Synonyms of hold-down

Verb

• limit
• restrict
• tighten

Examples of hold-down in a Sentence

Verb

efforts to hold down taxes keep running up against the legislature's ingrained unwillingness to cut spending

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Inside, hold-down straps, water-resistant storage, and multiple accessory pockets add to its organized feel. —Julie Loffredi, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025

These hold-down test-firings are typically one of the final milestones in a Starship launch campaign before SpaceX moves the rocket to the launch pad. —ArsTechnica, 19 June 2025

Verb

But working for a Big Four firm or Wall Street titan is no longer the surefire way to earn big and hold down a steady gig. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 20 Jan. 2026

Brown served as a team captain for the second straight season and held down left tackle for an offensive line that’s in as good of shape as any since quarterback Joe Burrow arrived. —Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for hold-down

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown