n.
Pronunciation: ' h ō ld
Function: verb
Inflected Form: held \ ' held \ ; hold · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English healdan; akin to Old High German haltan to hold, and perhaps to Latin celer rapid, Greek klonos agitation
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 a : to have possession or ownership of or have at one's disposal < hold s property worth millions> <the bank hold s 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 < hold s the record for the 100-yard dash> < hold s a PhD>
2 : to keep under restraint < hold price increases to a minimum>: 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 hold s 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>: 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 hold s 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 hold s 400 diners> d : to have as a principal or essential feature or attribute <the book hold s a number of surprises> also : to have in store <no one knows what the future hold s >
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> < hold ing 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) especially for protection <had to hold their ears because of the cold>
intransitive verb
1 a : to maintain position : refuse to give ground <the defensive line is hold ing > b : to continue in the same way or to the same degree : LAST <hopes the weather will hold > ― often used with up
2 : to derive right or title ― often used with of or from
3 : to be or remain valid : APPLY <the rule hold s 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
synonyms see CONTAIN
– 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
– hold court : to be the center of attention among friends or admirers
– hold forth : to speak at length : EXPATIATE
– 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
– 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
– 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
– hold with : to agree with or approve of