hold
adjective
1. (obsolete) Gracious; friendly; faithful; true.
noun
1. the act of grasping
- she kept a firm hold on the railing
Similar word(s): clasp, clench, clutch, clutches, grasp, grip
Definition categories: act, grasping, prehension, seizing
2. understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something
Similar word(s): appreciation, grasp
Definition categories: thought, apprehension, discernment, savvy, understanding
3. power by which something or someone is affected or dominated
- he has a hold over them
Definition categories: attribute, control
4. time during which some action is awaited
- he ordered a hold in the action
Similar word(s): delay, postponement, wait
Definition categories: time, break, intermission, interruption, pause, suspension
5. a state of being confined (usually for a short time)
- the prisoner is on hold
Similar word(s): custody, detainment, detention
Definition categories: state, confinement
6. a stronghold
Definition categories: man–made, fastness, stronghold
7. a cell in a jail or prison
Similar word(s): keep
Definition categories: man–made, cell
8. the appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it
Similar word(s): grip, handgrip, handle
Definition categories: man–made, appendage
9. the space in a ship or aircraft for storing cargo
Definition categories: man–made, enclosure
Sentences with hold as a noun:
- Keep a firm hold on the handlebars.
- We have a hold here for you.
- He got him in a tight hold and pinned him to the mat.
- The House Hold on the game is 10,000, this is the amount of decision or risk the house wishes to assume.
- As of Monday night the total Melbourne Cup hold was $848,015
- Put that in the hold.
verb
1. cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., `keep clean'
- hold in place
Similar word(s): keep, maintain
Definition categories: stative
2. have or hold in one's hands or grip
- Hold this bowl for a moment, please
- A crazy idea took hold of him
Definition categories: contact
3. organize or be responsible for
- hold a reception
Similar word(s): give, have, make, throw
Definition categories: creation, direct
4. have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense
- She holds a Master's degree from Harvard
Similar word(s): have
Definition categories: possession
5. keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view
- hold these truths to be self-evident
- I hold him personally responsible
Similar word(s): deem
Definition categories: cognition, consider, reckon, regard, see, view
6. maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
Similar word(s): entertain, harbor, harbour, nurse
Definition categories: emotion, experience, feel
7. to close within bounds, or otherwise limit or deprive of free movement
- This holds the local until the express passengers change trains
Similar word(s): confine, constrain, restrain
Definition categories: contact, disable, disenable, incapacitate
8. secure and keep for possible future use or application
Similar word(s): retain
Definition categories: possession, keep
9. have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices
Similar word(s): bear
Definition categories: possession, have, hold
10. be the physical support of; carry the weight of
- The beam holds up the roof
- What's holding that mirror?
Similar word(s): support, sustain
Definition categories: contact
11. contain or hold; have within
- The canteen holds fresh water
Similar word(s): bear, carry, contain
Definition categories: stative, include
12. have room for; hold without crowding
- The auditorium can't hold more than 500 people
Similar word(s): accommodate, admit
Definition categories: stative
13. remain in a certain state, position, or condition
Definition categories: stative, continue, keep, proceed
14. support or hold in a certain manner
- She holds her head high
Definition categories: contact
15. be valid, applicable, or true
- This theory still holds
Similar word(s): obtain, prevail
Definition categories: stative, be, exist
16. assert or affirm
- Rousseau's philosophy holds that people are inherently good
Definition categories: cognition, affirm, assert, aver, avow, swan, swear, verify
17. have as a major characteristic
- The novel holds many surprises
- The book holds in store much valuable advise
Definition categories: stative, be
18. be capable of holding or containing
- The flask holds one gallon
Similar word(s): contain, take
Definition categories: stative, be
19. arrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in advance
- please hold a table at Maxim's
Similar word(s): book, reserve
Definition categories: social, bespeak, quest, request
20. protect against a challenge or attack
- Hold that position behind the trees!
- Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks
Similar word(s): defend, guard
Definition categories: competition, protect
21. bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted
- I'll hold you by your promise
Similar word(s): bind, obligate, oblige
Definition categories: communication, relate
22. hold the attention of
- She can hold an audience spellbound
Definition categories: cognition, becharm, beguile, bewitch, captivate, capture, catch, charm, enamor, enamour, enchant, entrance, fascinate, trance
23. remain committed to
- I hold to these ideas
Definition categories: cognition, believe, conceive, consider, think
24. resist or confront with resistance
Similar word(s): defy, withstand
Definition categories: stative, resist, withstand
25. be pertinent or relevant or applicable
- This theory holds for all irrational numbers
Similar word(s): apply
Definition categories: stative, concern, pertain, refer, relate, touch
26. stop dealing with
- hold all calls to the President's office while he is in a meeting
Definition categories: stative, defer, postpone, prorogue, remit, shelve, table
27. lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits
- hold your tongue
- hold your temper
Similar word(s): check, contain, control, curb, moderate
Definition categories: social, keep, restrain
28. keep from departing
- Hold the taxi
- Hold the horse
Definition categories: social, keep, prevent
29. take and maintain control over, often by violent means
Definition categories: social, command, control
30. cause to stop
Definition categories: motion, stop
31. cover as for protection against noise or smell
- hold one's nose
Definition categories: contact, cover
32. drink alcohol without showing ill effects
- He can hold his liquor
Similar word(s): carry
Definition categories: consumption, booze, drink, fuddle
33. aim, point, or direct
- Hold the fire extinguisher directly on the flames
Definition categories: competition, aim, direct, take, train
34. declare to be
Similar word(s): adjudge, declare
Definition categories: communication, evaluate, judge
35. be in accord; be in agreement
- I hold with those who say life is sacred
Similar word(s): agree, concord, concur
Definition categories: communication
36. keep from exhaling or expelling
- hold your breath
Definition categories: body, keep, restrain
Sentences with hold as a verb:
- Hold the pencil like this.
- This package holds six bottles.
- Hold my coat for me. The general ordered the colonel to hold his position at all costs.
- Hold a table for us at 7:00.
- Hold the elevator.
- Hold the suspect in this cell.
- to hold true; to hold good
- to hold firm; to hold opinions
- He holds himself proudly erect. Hold your head high.
- to hold one's bladder; to hold one's breath
- He was held responsible for the actions of those under his command. I'll hold him to that promise.