Definition of hold
(Entry 1 of 3)
1a : 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 : such 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
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 : such 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
6a : 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
7a : 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 againstin America they hold everything you say against you— Paul McCartney
b : to think of in a particular way : regard were held in high esteem
8a : 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
9a : 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) with one or both hands (as for protection or comfort)
held his knee after the fall especially : to cover (the ears) to prevent hearing held her ears when the train went by
1a : 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 entry 1 hopes the weather will hold —often used with up
2 : to derive right or title
—often used with of or fromlands held of the Crown
3 : to be or remain valid : apply the rule holds in most cases —often used in the phrase hold true
4 : 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
8 : to stop counting during a countdown
9 slang : to have illicit drug material in one's possession
hold a brief for hold court hold forth hold hands hold one's breath hold one's horses hold one's own hold one's tongue or hold one's peace hold sway hold the bag hold the fort hold the line hold to hold to account hold water hold with
hold a candle to
: to qualify for comparison with
doesn't hold a candle to what she has suffered
: to be the center of attention among friends or admirers
: to speak at length : expatiate holding forth on the subject of politics
: to engage one's hand with another's especially as an expression of affection
1 : to prevent oneself from breathing temporarily
2 : to wait in anxious anticipation
: to slow down or stop for a moment
—usually used in the imperative
: to maintain one's position : prove equal to opposition
prove I can hold my own with the best of them
: to keep silent : keep one's thoughts to oneself
: to have a dominant influence : rule
1 : to be left empty-handed
2 : to bear alone a responsibility that should have been shared by others
She was left holding the bag for their mistakes.
1 : to maintain a firm position
2 : to take care of usual affairs
is holding the fort until the manager returns
: to maintain the current position or situation
hold the line on prices
: to give firm assent to : adhere to strongly
holds to his promise
: to hold responsible
: to stand up under criticism or analysis
Their version of events doesn't hold water.
: to agree with or approve of
don't hold with violence
hold
noun (1)Definition of hold (Entry 2 of 3)
2a : confinement, custody
b : prison
3a(1) : the act or the manner of grasping something (as in the hands or arms) : grip released his hold on the handle took hold of the rope
(2) : a manner of grasping an opponent in wrestling
applied an illegal hold
b : a nonphysical bond that attaches, restrains, or constrains or by which something is affected, controlled, or dominated
trying to tighten her hold on the company's finances has lost its hold on the broad public— Oscar Cargill
c : full comprehension
get hold of exactly what is happening— J. P. Lyford
d : full or immediate control : possession get hold of yourself wants to get hold of a road map
e : touch sense 8 —used with oftried to get hold of you, but you never answered your phone
4 : something that may be grasped as a support
searched for holds in the rock
b : the time between the onset and the release (see release entry 2 sense 3c) of a vocal articulation (see articulation sense 3b)
6 : a sudden motionless posture at the end of a dance
7a : an order or indication that something is to be reserved or delayed
I asked the library to put a hold on the book for me.
b : a delay in a countdown (as in launching a spacecraft)
on hold
1 : in a state of interruption during a telephone call when one party switches to another line without totally disconnecting the other party
put me on hold while he talked to his supervisor
2 : in a state or period of indefinite suspension
put our plans on hold
hold
noun (2)Definition of hold (Entry 3 of 3)
1 : the interior of a ship below decks especially : the cargo deck of a ship
2 : the cargo compartment of a plane
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Time Traveler for hold
The first known use of hold was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century