I. ˈhōld verb
( held ˈheld ; 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
- 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
- hold sway
- hold the bag
- hold the fort
- hold the line
- hold to
- hold to account
- hold water
- hold with
II. noun
Date: 14th century
1. : stronghold 1
2.
a. : confinement , custody
b. : prison
3.
a.
(1) : the act or the manner of holding or grasping : grip
released his hold on the handle
(2) : a manner of grasping an opponent in wrestling
b. : a nonphysical bond that attaches, restrains, or constrains or by which something is affected, controlled, or dominated
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 14 — used with of
tried to get hold of me
4. : something that may be grasped as a support
5.
a. : fermata
b. : the time between the onset and the release of a vocal articulation
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
b. : a delay in a countdown (as in launching a spacecraft)
•
- on hold
III. noun
Etymology: alteration of hole
Date: 1591
1. : the interior of a ship below decks ; especially : the cargo deck of a ship
2. : the cargo compartment of a plane