-
Trending Now:
More Trending:
- scaramouch non sequitur admiral's mast calumny kakistocracy
- ALL
Definition of hold
held
play \ˈheld\;holding
transitive verb
1a : to have possession or ownership of or have at one's disposal holds property worth millions the bank holds the title to the carb : to have as a privilege or position of responsibility hold a professorshipc : 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 asa : to prevent free expression of hold your temperb : to prevent from some action ordered the troops to hold fire the only restraining motive which may hold the hand of a tyrant — Thomas Jeffersonc : to keep back from use ask them to hold a room for us I'll have a hot dog, and hold the mustardd : 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
4a : to have or maintain in the grasp hold my hand this is how you hold the racket; also : aim, point held a gun on themb : 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 upc : 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 asa : to avoid emitting or letting out how long can you hold your breathb : 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 horsesb : 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 liquorc : accommodate the restaurant holds 400 dinersd : 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 against in America they hold everything you say against you — Paul McCartneyb : 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 conventionb : to cause to be carried on : conduct will hold a seminarc : to produce or sponsor especially as a public exhibition will hold an art show
hold a brief for
hold a candle to
hold court
hold forth
hold hands
hold one's breath
hold one's horses
hold one's own
hold one's tongue
orhold one's peace
hold sway
hold the bag
hold the fort
hold the line
hold to
hold to account
hold water
hold with
People Are Reading
Examples of hold in a Sentence
Hold the rail so you won't fall.
He was holding a large package in his arms.
Would you hold this for me?
She showed him the correct way to hold the racket.
Some people just don't like to be held.
He held her close and kissed her.
He held the pen in his mouth while he dialed the number.
Hold the pen upright when you write.
She picked up the trophy and held it over her head.
You have to hold the button down for several seconds.
Origin and Etymology of hold
Middle English holden, going back to Old English healdan, going back to Germanic *hald-a-, whence also Old High German haltan “to protect, guard, hold,” Old Saxon haldan, Old Norse halda, Gothic haldan “to tend, graze (cattle)”; perhaps, if -d- (going back to Indo-European *-dh-) is a root extension with resultative meaning, a derivative from the Indo-European base *kel- “drive, urge” (whence Greek kelésthai “to urge, exhort”), with sense shift from “pasture” to “keep, protect” to “hold” — more at accelerate
Synonym Discussion of hold
hold
Definition of hold
1 : stronghold 1
2a : confinement, custodyb : 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 holdb : 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 Cargillc : full comprehension get hold of exactly what is happening — J. P. Lyfordd : full or immediate control : possession get hold of yourself wants to get hold of a road mape : touch 8 —used with of tried 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
5a music : fermatab : the time between the onset and the release (see 2release 3c) of a vocal articulation (see articulation 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
Origin and Etymology of hold
see 1hold
hold
Definition of hold
1 : the interior of a ship below decks; especially : the cargo deck of a ship
2 : the cargo compartment of a plane
Origin and Etymology of hold
alteration of hole
HOLD Defined for English Language Learners
hold
playDefinition of hold for English Language Learners
-
: to have or keep (something) in your hand, arms, etc.
-
: to put your arms around (someone) : to embrace or hug (someone)
-
: to put or keep (something or someone) in a specified place or position
HOLD Defined for Kids
Definition of hold for Students
held
\ˈheld\;holding
1 : to have or keep a grip on hold a book She held the child's hand.
2 : to take in and have within : contain This jar holds a quart.
3 : 1support 1 The floor will hold ten tons.
4 : to carry on by group action The club held a meeting.
5 : to have as a position of responsibility She holds the office of treasurer.
6 : to continue in the same way or state : last According to the forecast, good weather will hold.
7 : to remain fast or fastened The lock held.
8 : to have or keep possession or control of Soldiers held the fort.
holder
\ˈhōl-dər\ nounhold out
hold up
Definition of hold for Students
1 : the part of a ship below the decks in which cargo is stored
2 : the cargo compartment of an airplane
Law Dictionary
hold
Legal Definition of hold
held
holding
1a : to have lawful possession or ownership of held the property as tenants in common the band holds the title to the car b : to have as a privilege or position of responsibility holding a retail liquor license the judges…shall hold their offices during good behavior — U.S. Constitution art. III
2 : to restrain the liberty of; specifically : to keep in custody the defendant will be held without bail
3 : to cause to be conducted will hold a hearing on the matter
4 : to rule as the holding of a case the court held that such conduct violated the statute — compare decide, find
Learn More about hold
-
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hold Spanish Central: Translation of hold Nglish: Translation of hold for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of hold for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up hold? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!