First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1hold
verb \ˈhōld\
: 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
held \ˈheld\ hold·ing
Full Definition of HOLD
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>: 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>: 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) 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 holding> 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 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>
8
: to stop counting during a countdown
9
slang : to have illicit drug material in one's possession
— hold a brief for
— 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
See hold defined for English-language learners
See hold defined for kids
Origin of HOLD
Middle English, from Old English healdan; akin to Old High German haltan to hold, and perhaps to Latin celer rapid, Greek klonos agitation
Related to HOLD
- Synonyms
- clench, cling (to), clutch, grip, hang on to, hold on to
Synonym Discussion of HOLD
contain, hold, accommodate mean to have or be capable of having within. contain implies the actual presence of a specified substance or quantity within something <the can contains a quart of oil>. hold implies the capacity of containing or the usual or permanent function of containing or keeping <the bookcase will hold all my textbooks>. accommodate stresses holding without crowding or inconvenience <the hall can accommodate 500 people>.
2hold
noun
Definition of HOLD
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
1
: in a state of interruption during a telephone call when one party switches to another line without totally disconnecting the other party
2
: in a state or period of indefinite suspension <put our plans on hold>
First Known Use of HOLD
14th century
3hold
noun
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 of HOLD
alteration of hole
First Known Use: 1591
HOLDS Defined for Kids
1hold
verb \ˈhōld\
held \ˈheld\hold·ing
Definition of HOLD for Kids
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.>
9
: to have in mind <They hold different opinions.>
10
: to limit the movement or activity of : restrain <A nut holds the bolt.> <Please hold the dogs.>
11
: to continue in a condition or position <Can you hold still a minute?>
12
: to continue moving on (a course) without change
13
: to make accept a legal or moral duty <They held me to my promise.>
14
— hold·er \ˈhōl-dər\ noun
— hold out
1
: to continue to be present or exist <My money held out until I got paid.>
2
: to refuse to yield or agree <The soldiers held out until help arrived.>
— hold up
1
: 2delay 2 <Police are holding up traffic.>
2
: to rob while threatening with a weapon
2hold
noun
Definition of HOLD for Kids
1
: the act or way of holding : grip <He had a tight hold on the rope.>
2
: a note or rest in music kept up longer than usual
3hold
noun
Definition of HOLD for Kids
1
: the part of a ship below the decks in which cargo is stored
2
: the cargo compartment of an airplane
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