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

Other modifications include a one-piece floor, improved hold-down handles and reduced bulk, Steber said. — Jack Dura, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

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

Verb

Anchoring the reeds and holding down the baritone sax chair defined with soulful panache by Harry Carney for nearly five decades is Kamrin Ortiz. — Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 7 July 2026

Collin is finally sharing the truth about being held down, the basement cell where he was hidden for years, and the cocktail of powerful antipsychotics forced on an 11-year-old boy. — Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 1 July 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