hold

1 of 3

verb

ˈhōld

held ˈheld How to pronounce hold (audio)

; holding

transitive verb

: to have possession or ownership of or have at one's disposal

holds property worth millions

the bank holds the title to the car

: to have as a privilege or position of responsibility

hold a professorship

: to have as a mark of distinction

holds the record for the 100-yard dash

holds a PhD

: to keep under restraint

hold price increases to a minimum

: such as

: to prevent free expression of

hold your temper

: 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

: to keep back from use

ask them to hold a room for us

I'll have a hot dog, and hold the mustard

: to delay temporarily the handling of

please hold all my calls

: to make liable or accountable or bound to an obligation

I'll hold you to your promise

: to have or maintain in the grasp

hold my hand

this is how you hold the racket

also : aim, point

held a gun on them

: 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

: to bear the pressure of : support

can the roof hold all of that weight

: to prevent from leaving or getting away

hold the train

: such as

: to avoid emitting or letting out

how long can you hold your breath

: 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

: 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

: 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

: accommodate

the restaurant holds 400 diners

: 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

: 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 McCartney

: to think of in a particular way : regard

were held in high esteem

: to assemble for and carry on the activity of

held a convention

: to cause to be carried on : conduct

will hold a seminar

: to produce or sponsor especially as a public exhibition

will hold an art show

: 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

: to maintain (a certain condition, situation, or course of action) without change

hold a course due east

: 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

intransitive verb

: to maintain position : refuse to give ground

the defensive line is holding

: to continue in the same way or to the same degree : last entry 1

hopes the weather will hold

—often used with up

: to derive right or title

—often used with of or from

lands held of the Crown

: to be or remain valid : apply

the rule holds in most cases

—often used in the phrase hold true

: to maintain a grasp on something : remain fastened to something

the anchor held in the rough sea

: to go ahead as one has been going

held south for several miles

: to bear or carry oneself

asked him to hold still

: to forbear an intended or threatened action : halt, pause

—often used as a command

: to stop counting during a countdown

slang : to have illicit drug material in one's possession

hold

2 of 3

noun (1)

: stronghold sense 1

: confinement, custody

: prison

a(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

: 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

: full comprehension

get hold of exactly what is happening—

J. P. Lyford

: full or immediate control : possession

get hold of yourself

wants to get hold of a road map

: touch sense 8

—used with of

tried to get hold of you, but you never answered your phone

: something that may be grasped as a support

searched for holds in the rock

music : fermata

: the time between the onset and the release (see release entry 2 sense 3c) of a vocal articulation (see articulation sense 3b)

: a sudden motionless posture at the end of a dance

: 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.

: a delay in a countdown (as in launching a spacecraft)

noun (2)

: the interior of a ship below decks

especially : the cargo deck of a ship

: the cargo compartment of a plane

Phrases

hold a brief for

: advocate, defend

—usually used in negative constructions

I hold no brief for cartels and market allocations—

J. D. Upham

hold a candle to

: to qualify for comparison with

doesn't hold a candle to what she has suffered

hold court

: to be the center of attention among friends or admirers

hold forth

: to speak at length : expatiate

holding forth on the subject of politics

hold hands

: to engage one's hand with another's especially as an expression of affection

hold one's breath

: to prevent oneself from breathing temporarily

: to wait in anxious anticipation

hold one's horses

: to slow down or stop for a moment

—usually used in the imperative

hold one's own

: to maintain one's position : prove equal to opposition

prove I can hold my own with the best of them

hold one's tongue or hold one's peace

: to keep silent : keep one's thoughts to oneself

hold sway

: to have a dominant influence : rule

hold the bag

: to be left empty-handed

: to bear alone a responsibility that should have been shared by others

She was left holding the bag for their mistakes.

hold the fort

: to maintain a firm position

: to take care of usual affairs

is holding the fort until the manager returns

hold the line

: to maintain the current position or situation

hold the line on prices

hold to

: to give firm assent to : adhere to strongly

holds to his promise

hold to account

: to hold responsible

hold water

: to stand up under criticism or analysis

Their version of events doesn't hold water.

hold with

: to agree with or approve of

don't hold with violence

on hold

: 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

: in a state or period of indefinite suspension

put our plans on hold

Example Sentences

Verb 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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Democratic lawmakers in Michigan, who hold a majority in the State Legislature, vowed on Tuesday to introduce gun control measures. —

Patricia Mazzei, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2023 After her announcement speech in South Carolina, Haley travels within the next week to New Hampshire and Iowa, two other states that hold early contests for convention delegates. —

David Jackson, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2023 CDOs need CEOs and other C-Suite peers to partner with them on creating and sustaining cultures, structures, and systems that hold every employee (including themselves) accountable for advancing the company’s DEI goals. —

Shaun Harper, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2023 Simply sew a small piece of ribbon with a metal fastener onto your shirt that'll hold your bra strap underneath and prevent it from slipping out. —

Hannah Oh, Seventeen, 14 Feb. 2023 Some are case-wallet combos or have MagSafe accessories that hold IDs and cards. —

Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 14 Feb. 2023 The Coleman 316 Series is a classic fish box that will hold the biggest catch. —

Scott Mckee, Field & Stream, 13 Feb. 2023 Though NFTs have been celebrated as the future of digital art, and a way for artists to earn royalties, many NFT collections operate more like securities — a financial instrument, like stocks or bonds, that hold some monetary value. —

Elle Reeve And Samantha Guff, CNN, 10 Feb. 2023 Made of 100 percent bamboo, the board has a grooved border that can hold crackers, cheeses, nuts, and meats. —

Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 10 Feb. 2023

Noun

An Angel City visit to Monterrey for a rematch with Tigres this season has been put on hold. —

Staff WriterFollow, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2023 That law is currently on hold, blocked by a Hamilton County Common Pleas Court judge. —

Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 16 Feb. 2023 Yeah, the truth is harder than ever to get a hold of now, and people are suspicious of what is reported. —

Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Feb. 2023 And when the cocktail renaissance got a hold of it in the early 2000s, when old drinks were being rejiggered, blinged out and bolstered by the dozen, the toddy got plenty of polishing. —

M. Carrie Allan, Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2023 The collaboration between the Colombian star and the Argentine hitmaker sparked major online chatter, even in the days before its official release, with the buzz only growing stronger once the internet got a hold of the song’s striking lyrics. —

Thania Garcia, Variety, 24 Jan. 2023 Saturday, Henne got a hold when Mahomes missed a pair of second-quarter series. —

Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2023 The student’s mother legally purchased the gun used in the shooting, according to Newport News police, but officials haven’t specified how the boy got a hold of it. —

Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 13 Jan. 2023 Investors can also get a hold of custodians to provide multiple investment opportunities from different asset classes. —

Laxmi Corp, The Salt Lake Tribune, 10 Jan. 2023 See More

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun (1)

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 *-d^h-) 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

Noun (2)

alteration of hole

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hold

Kids Definition

hold

1 of 3 verb

ˈhōld

held ˈheld How to pronounce hold (audio)

; holding

: to keep in one's possession : possess, have

hold this for me

: to have by right

hold property

hold a bachelor's degree

hold elective office

: to keep or restrict by force

the troops held the bridge

: to restrain especially by keeping back

hold your temper

: delay entry 2 sense 2

held the train

: to keep back from use

will hold the seats for us

: to make accept a legal or moral duty

I'll hold you to your word

: to have or keep in the grasp

hold the pen upright

: to cause to be or remain in a place, position, or situation

hold the ladder steady

: to remain fastened

the anchor held

: support entry 1 sense 4a, sustain

the floor will hold 10 metric tons

: to keep as or as if a captive

held without bail

: to bear or carry oneself

please hold still

: to keep up without interruption

hold silence

: to keep the interest or devotion of

the play held the audience

: to receive and contain

the bottle holds two liters

: to have in mind : entertain

hold a theory

: consider sense 3, judge

was held to be the best

: to carry on as a group

hold a meeting

: to maintain position

the line held under attack

: to continue unchanged : last

their interest held up

hope the weather holds

: to be true : apply

the rule holds in most cases

: to refrain from an act : halt, pause

hold

2 of 3 noun

: fortress, stronghold

: the act or manner of holding : grip, grasp

have a hold on the rope

: a manner of grasping the opponent in wrestling

: full or immediate control

get hold of yourself

: touch sense 4

trying to get a hold of you

: a bond that affects or controls : power

the law has no hold over this person

: something that may be grasped or held

: a note or rest in music that is continued longer than usual

: an order or indication that something is to be reserved or delayed

: stoppage, halt

a hold in a rocket countdown

hold

3 of 3 noun

: the interior of a ship below decks

especially : the cargo deck of a ship

: the cargo compartment of an airplane

Legal Definition

hold

transitive verb

held; holding

: to have lawful possession or ownership of

held the property as tenants in common

the band holds the title to the car

: 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

: to restrain the liberty of

specifically : to keep in custody

the defendant will be held without bail

: to cause to be conducted

will hold a hearing on the matter

: to rule as the holding of a case

the court held that such conduct violated the statute

compare decide, find

单词	hold a candle to
释义	hold 1 of 3 verb ˈhōld held ˈheld ; holding transitive verb 1 a : 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 4 a : to have or maintain in the grasp hold my hand this is how you hold the racket also : aim, point held a gun on them 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 6 a : 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 7 a : 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 McCartney b : to think of in a particular way : regard were held in high esteem 8 a : 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 9 a : 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 intransitive verb 1 a : 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 from lands 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 7 : to forbear an intended or threatened action : halt, pause —often used as a command 8 : to stop counting during a countdown 9 slang : to have illicit drug material in one's possession hold 2 of 3 noun (1) 1 : stronghold sense 1 2 a : confinement, custody b : prison 3 a(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 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 5 a music : fermata 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 7 a : 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) see also take hold hold 3 of 3 noun (2) 1 : the interior of a ship below decks especially : the cargo deck of a ship 2 : the cargo compartment of a plane Phrases hold a brief for : advocate, defend —usually used in negative constructions I hold no brief for cartels and market allocations—J. D. Upham hold a candle to : to qualify for comparison with doesn't hold a candle to what she has suffered hold court : to be the center of attention among friends or admirers hold forth : to speak at length : expatiate holding forth on the subject of politics hold hands : to engage one's hand with another's especially as an expression of affection hold one's breath 1 : to prevent oneself from breathing temporarily 2 : to wait in anxious anticipation hold one's horses : to slow down or stop for a moment —usually used in the imperative hold one's own : to maintain one's position : prove equal to opposition prove I can hold my own with the best of them hold one's tongue or hold one's peace : to keep silent : keep one's thoughts to oneself hold sway : to have a dominant influence : rule hold the bag 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. hold the fort 1 : to maintain a firm position 2 : to take care of usual affairs is holding the fort until the manager returns hold the line : to maintain the current position or situation hold the line on prices hold to : to give firm assent to : adhere to strongly holds to his promise hold to account : to hold responsible hold water : to stand up under criticism or analysis Their version of events doesn't hold water. hold with : to agree with or approve of don't hold with violence 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 Synonyms Verb clench cling (to) clutch grip Noun (1) clasp clench grapple grasp grip handgrip handhold See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Verb 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. See More Recent Examples on the Web Verb Democratic lawmakers in Michigan, who hold a majority in the State Legislature, vowed on Tuesday to introduce gun control measures. —Patricia Mazzei, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2023 After her announcement speech in South Carolina, Haley travels within the next week to New Hampshire and Iowa, two other states that hold early contests for convention delegates. —David Jackson, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2023 CDOs need CEOs and other C-Suite peers to partner with them on creating and sustaining cultures, structures, and systems that hold every employee (including themselves) accountable for advancing the company’s DEI goals. —Shaun Harper, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2023 Simply sew a small piece of ribbon with a metal fastener onto your shirt that'll hold your bra strap underneath and prevent it from slipping out. —Hannah Oh, Seventeen, 14 Feb. 2023 Some are case-wallet combos or have MagSafe accessories that hold IDs and cards. —Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 14 Feb. 2023 The Coleman 316 Series is a classic fish box that will hold the biggest catch. —Scott Mckee, Field & Stream, 13 Feb. 2023 Though NFTs have been celebrated as the future of digital art, and a way for artists to earn royalties, many NFT collections operate more like securities — a financial instrument, like stocks or bonds, that hold some monetary value. —Elle Reeve And Samantha Guff, CNN, 10 Feb. 2023 Made of 100 percent bamboo, the board has a grooved border that can hold crackers, cheeses, nuts, and meats. —Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 10 Feb. 2023 Noun An Angel City visit to Monterrey for a rematch with Tigres this season has been put on hold. —Staff WriterFollow, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2023 That law is currently on hold, blocked by a Hamilton County Common Pleas Court judge. —Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 16 Feb. 2023 Yeah, the truth is harder than ever to get a hold of now, and people are suspicious of what is reported. —Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Feb. 2023 And when the cocktail renaissance got a hold of it in the early 2000s, when old drinks were being rejiggered, blinged out and bolstered by the dozen, the toddy got plenty of polishing. —M. Carrie Allan, Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2023 The collaboration between the Colombian star and the Argentine hitmaker sparked major online chatter, even in the days before its official release, with the buzz only growing stronger once the internet got a hold of the song’s striking lyrics. —Thania Garcia, Variety, 24 Jan. 2023 Saturday, Henne got a hold when Mahomes missed a pair of second-quarter series. —Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2023 The student’s mother legally purchased the gun used in the shooting, according to Newport News police, but officials haven’t specified how the boy got a hold of it. —Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 13 Jan. 2023 Investors can also get a hold of custodians to provide multiple investment opportunities from different asset classes. —Laxmi Corp, The Salt Lake Tribune, 10 Jan. 2023 See More Word History Etymology Verb and Noun (1) 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 -d^h-) 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 Noun (2) alteration of hole First Known Use Verb before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a Noun (1) 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Noun (2) 1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Phrases Containing hold get a hold of oneself choke hold cop hold of get a hold of grab hold of hold/keep/play (something) close to the vest have/hold the lead have/hold/want no truck with hold/keep/play (something) close to one's chest hold a brief for hold/control the purse strings hold/hang on a moment hold/have promise hold against hold (all/all of) the cards hold all the aces hold/hang on a minute hold a quiet conversation hold back (someone or something ) hold back one's tears hold good hold in hold it hold off on hold off hold on hold one's liquor hold one's nose hold on to hold over hold (someone or something) in high regard hold out for hold the baby hold (someone) responsible hold sway hold the fort hold the mayo hold the reins hold the floor hold the world/Olympic record hold together hold true hold up hold up one's head hold water lay hold of play/hold/keep one's cards close to the/one's chest/vest put a hold on seize hold of take hold hold it/that against hold back get hold of oneself hold one's fire hold down the fort hold no terror(s) hold firm hold/put a gun to someone's head hold down get hold of hold (someone) up to (public) ridicule hold everything loosen one's grip/hold scissors hold hold one's head (up) high hold out keep/hold in check hold out on hold court hold one's peace hold forth hold hands hold the line on hold hold one's breath hold to account hold to hold one's own hold the bag hold one's horses hold one's tongue hold with hold a candle to See More get a hold of oneself choke hold cop hold of get a hold of grab hold of hold/keep/play (something) close to the vest have/hold the lead have/hold/want no truck with hold/keep/play (something) close to one's chest hold a brief for hold/control the purse strings hold/hang on a moment hold/have promise hold against hold (all/all of) the cards hold all the aces hold/hang on a minute hold a quiet conversation hold back (someone or something ) hold back one's tears hold good hold in hold it hold off on hold off hold on hold one's liquor hold one's nose hold on to hold over hold (someone or something) in high regard hold out for hold the baby hold (someone) responsible hold sway hold the fort hold the mayo hold the reins hold the floor hold the world/Olympic record hold together hold true hold up hold up one's head hold water lay hold of play/hold/keep one's cards close to the/one's chest/vest put a hold on seize hold of take hold hold it/that against hold back get hold of oneself hold one's fire hold down the fort hold no terror(s) hold firm hold/put a gun to someone's head hold down get hold of hold (someone) up to (public) ridicule hold everything loosen one's grip/hold scissors hold hold one's head (up) high hold out keep/hold in check hold out on hold court hold one's peace hold forth hold hands hold the line on hold hold one's breath hold to account hold to hold one's own hold the bag hold one's horses hold one's tongue hold with hold a candle to See More Kids Definition hold 1 of 3 verb ˈhōld held ˈheld ; holding 1 a : to keep in one's possession : possess, have hold this for me b : to have by right hold property hold a bachelor's degree hold elective office 2 a : to keep or restrict by force the troops held the bridge b : to restrain especially by keeping back hold your temper c : delay entry 2 sense 2 held the train d : to keep back from use will hold the seats for us e : to make accept a legal or moral duty I'll hold you to your word 3 a : to have or keep in the grasp hold the pen upright b : to cause to be or remain in a place, position, or situation hold the ladder steady c : to remain fastened the anchor held d : support entry 1 sense 4a, sustain the floor will hold 10 metric tons e : to keep as or as if a captive held without bail 4 : to bear or carry oneself please hold still 5 a : to keep up without interruption hold silence b : to keep the interest or devotion of the play held the audience 6 : to receive and contain the bottle holds two liters 7 a : to have in mind : entertain hold a theory b : consider sense 3, judge was held to be the best 8 : to carry on as a group hold a meeting 9 a : to maintain position the line held under attack b : to continue unchanged : last their interest held up hope the weather holds 10 : to be true : apply the rule holds in most cases 11 : to refrain from an act : halt, pause hold 2 of 3 noun 1 : fortress, stronghold 2 : the act or manner of holding : grip, grasp have a hold on the rope 3 : a manner of grasping the opponent in wrestling 4 a : full or immediate control get hold of yourself b : touch sense 4 trying to get a hold of you 5 : a bond that affects or controls : power the law has no hold over this person 6 : something that may be grasped or held 7 : a note or rest in music that is continued longer than usual 8 a : an order or indication that something is to be reserved or delayed b : stoppage, halt a hold in a rocket countdown hold 3 of 3 noun 1 : the interior of a ship below decks especially : the cargo deck of a ship 2 : the cargo compartment of an airplane Legal Definition hold transitive verb held; holding 1 a : 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 hold a candle to phrase as in measure up (to) to come near or nearer to in character or quality This "guilt free" macaroni and cheese doesn't hold a candle to the real thing. Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance measure up (to) approximate stack up (against or with) compare (with) reflect match approach mirror touch (on) add up (to) parallel amount (to) duplicate come (to) border (on) verge (on) equal
随便看	randomnesses randoms randori randos rands randy ranee ranees ranella Raney nickel rang rang (up) rang down the curtain rang down the curtain (on) rang down the curtain on rang in rang in sick rang off rang out rang se rang up rangatira rangatiras rangdoodles range

hold

verb

noun (1)

noun (2)

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing hold

Kids Definition

Legal Definition

phrase