Hold

/hˈə‌ʊld/

/ˈhoʊɫd/

to hold

VERB

to have in your hands or arms

1.1

to aim, point, or direct something, especially a gun, weapon, etc.

Example

The soldier held a rifle on the enemy.

The vigilant guard held a flashlight on the suspicious figure.

She held a crossbow on the trespasser.

The bank robber held a pistol on the cashier.

They held the hose on the garden to water the plants.

1.2

to cover a part of one's body with one's hands, especially because of pain

Example

He held his throbbing temples as the migraine struck again.

She held her chest and winced in pain.

He held his injured leg, unable to walk any further.

1.3

to put one's arms around the body of another person

Example

After a long absence, they held each other in a warm embrace.

The couple held each other tightly, dancing to their favorite song.

He held her gently, providing comfort in her time of need.

The friend held her while she cried, offering a shoulder to cry on.

to have something as one's own

2.1

to have a specific opinion or belief about someone or something

Example

The community holds great affection for their local hero.

I hold strong political convictions about environmental conservation.

He holds radical views on economic reform.

My grandfather held traditional values when it came to family.

2.2

(especially of a court of law or judge) to decide and declare something

Example

The magistrate held that the case should proceed to trial.

The Supreme Court held that the law was unconstitutional.

The judge held that the evidence presented was insufficient to convict the defendant.

2.3

to have or occupy a certain position or job

Example

Sir Isaac Newton held the post of Master of the Royal Mint in England.

The organization has held the role of project manager since the project's inception.

Mary held a senior management position at the company.

Women continue to hold the majority of leadership positions in the education sector.

2.4

to have illegal drugs

Example

When the authorities found out he was holding, they arrested him on the spot.

While she was holding, law enforcement officers arrested her immediately.

to organize a specific event, such as a meeting, party, election, etc.

to keep someone or something in a particular position or state

4.1

to retain the attention or interest of someone

4.2

to protect a certain place against an attack

4.3

to keep someone somewhere and not let them leave, especially as a prisoner

4.4

to keep someone or something from leaving or from what they want to do

4.5

to maintain control over a particular place, often by force

4.6

to keep something at a particular rate, level, etc.

4.7

to cause something to stay the same as before

4.8

to stay the same as before

4.9

(of a vehicle) to keep close contact with the road and to be controllable in an easy and safe manner, particularly when driven at speed

4.10

(of an aircraft or a ship) to continue to follow the same course as before

4.11

to stay at a particular rate, level, etc.

to bear the weight of something or someone

5.1

to stay strong, secure, or in a particular position without collapsing or breaking

Example

The topic of accounting principles held little interest for him.

These scientific theories held little interest for most people.

The movie had enough action and suspense to hold my attention throughout.

The teacher struggled to hold the students' attention during the long lecture.

The captivating speaker managed to hold the audience's focus during the entire presentation.

to be or continue to be available or valid

to reserve or keep something for someone's later use

7.1

to wait on the phone line until the other person answers it

to contain or have the capacity to contain a certain amount

8.1

to be able to consume alcoholic drinks in a reasonable amount and without showing signs of drunkenness

Example

Can you hold?

I held the line for a few minutes before she picked up.

I'll hold the line until he's ready to speak with me.

Could you please hold for a moment while I transfer your call?

8.2

to offer or have a particular thing

to agree or be in accord with someone or something

to instruct someone to not include or add something, particularly food or drink

Hold

NOUN

the appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it

the act of grasping

a cell in a jail or prison

the space in a ship or aircraft for storing cargo

a stronghold

power by which something or someone is affected or dominated

understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something

a state of being confined (usually for a short time)

time during which some action is awaited

Example

They held candles during the power outage.

As the team captain, she proudly held the championship trophy.

She held her friend's hand for support during the scary movie.

He gently held the fragile vase, careful not to drop it.

The studio's collection of vintage tapes holds rare recordings of jazz legends from the past century.

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Hold

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