hold
hold /ˈhoʊld/
noun
-
(
)
The act of grasping
(
clasp
, clench
, grasp
, clutch
, clutches
, grip
, hold
)
the act of grasping
He released his clasp on my arm
he released his clasp on my arm
He has a strong grip for an old man
he has a strong grip for an old man
She kept a firm hold on the railing
she kept a firm hold on the railing
-
()
Power by which something or someone is affected or dominated
(
hold
)
power by which something or someone is affected or dominated
He has a hold over them
he has a hold over them
-
()
Understanding of the nature, meaning, quality or magnitude of something
(
grasp
, hold
, appreciation
)
understanding of the nature, meaning, quality or magnitude of something
He has a good grasp of accounting practices
he has a good grasp of accounting practices
-
The space in a ship or aircraft for storing cargo
(
cargo area
, cargo deck
, cargo hold
, hold
, storage area
)
the space in a ship or aircraft for storing cargo
The hold of a ship is a storage area below deck
The hold of a ship is a storage area below deck
-
The appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it
(
handgrip
, hold
, grip
, handle
)
the appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it
He grabbed the hammer by the handle
he grabbed the hammer by the handle
It was an old briefcase but it still had a good grip
it was an old briefcase but it still had a good grip
-
A cell in a jail or prison
(
hold
, keep
)
a cell in a jail or prison
-
[Archaic]
A stronghold
(
hold
[Archaic] )
a stronghold
-
A state of being confined (usually for a short time)
(
detainment
, detention
, hold
, custody
)
a state of being confined (usually for a short time)
His detention was politically motivated
his detention was politically motivated
The prisoner is on hold
the prisoner is on hold
He is in the custody of police
he is in the custody of police
-
Time during which some action is awaited
(
hold
, postponement
, time lag
, delay
, wait
)
time during which some action is awaited
Instant replay caused too long a delay
instant replay caused too long a delay
He ordered a hold in the action
he ordered a hold in the action
verb
-
()
Cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., keep clean'
(
maintain
, hold
, keep
)
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., keep clean'
Hold in place
hold in place
She always held herself as a lady
She always held herself as a lady
The students keep me on my toes
The students keep me on my toes
-
()
Have or hold in one's hands or grip
(
take hold
, hold
)
have or hold in one's hands or grip
Hold this bowl for a moment, please
Hold this bowl for a moment, please
A crazy idea took hold of him
A crazy idea took hold of him
-
()
Organize or be responsible for
(
throw
, make
, give
, have
, hold
)
organize or be responsible for
Hold a reception
hold a reception
Have, throw, or make a party
have, throw, or make a party
Give a course
give a course
-
()
Have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense
(
have got
, hold
, have
)
have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense
She has $1,000 in the bank
She has $1,000 in the bank
He has got two beautiful daughters
He has got two beautiful daughters
She holds a Master's degree from Harvard
She holds a Master's degree from Harvard
-
()
Keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view
(
take for
, deem
, view as
, hold
)
keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view
Take for granted
take for granted
View as important
view as important
Hold these truths to be self-evident
hold these truths to be self-evident
I hold him personally responsible
I hold him personally responsible
-
()
To close within bounds, or otherwise limit or deprive of free movement
(
confine
, constrain
, restrain
, hold
)
to close within bounds, or otherwise limit or deprive of free movement
This holds the local until the express passengers change trains
This holds the local until the express passengers change trains
About a dozen animals were held inside the stockade
About a dozen animals were held inside the stockade
The illegal immigrants were held at a detention center
The illegal immigrants were held at a detention center
The terrorists held the journalists for ransom
The terrorists held the journalists for ransom
-
()
Maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
(
entertain
, harbour
[Canadian, British] , nurse
, harbor
[ N. American] , hold
)
maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
Bear a grudge
bear a grudge
Entertain interesting notions
entertain interesting notions
Harbor a resentment
harbor a resentment
-
()
Secure and keep for possible future use or application
(
hold back
, keep back
, retain
, hold
)
secure and keep for possible future use or application
The landlord retained the security deposit
The landlord retained the security deposit
I reserve the right to disagree
I reserve the right to disagree
-
()
Be the physical support of; carry the weight of
(
sustain
, hold up
, hold
, support
)
be the physical support of; carry the weight of
The beam holds up the roof
The beam holds up the roof
He supported me with one hand while I balanced on the beam
He supported me with one hand while I balanced on the beam
What's holding that mirror?
What's holding that mirror?
-
()
Have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices
(
bear
, hold
)
have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices
She bears the title of Duchess
She bears the title of Duchess
He held the governorship for almost a decade
He held the governorship for almost a decade
-
()
Contain or hold; have within
(
bear
, carry
, hold
, contain
)
contain or hold; have within
The jar carries wine
The jar carries wine
The canteen holds fresh water
The canteen holds fresh water
This can contains water
This can contains water
-
()
Support or hold in a certain manner
(
bear
, hold
, carry
)
support or hold in a certain manner
She holds her head high
She holds her head high
He carried himself upright
He carried himself upright
-
()
Remain in a certain state, position, or condition
(
hold
)
remain in a certain state, position, or condition
The weather held
The weather held
They held on the road and kept marching
They held on the road and kept marching
-
()
Have room for
(
admit
, accommodate
, hold
)
Have room for
This hotel can accommodate 250 guests
This hotel can accommodate 250 guests
The theater admits 300 people
The theater admits 300 people
The auditorium can't hold more than 500 people
The auditorium can't hold more than 500 people
-
()
Assert or affirm
(
hold
)
assert or affirm
Rousseau's philosophy holds that people are inherently good
Rousseau's philosophy holds that people are inherently good
-
()
Be valid, applicable, or true
(
obtain
, hold
, prevail
)
be valid, applicable, or true
This theory still holds
This theory still holds
-
()
Remain committed to
(
hold
)
remain committed to
I hold to these ideas
I hold to these ideas
-
()
Hold the attention of
(
hold
)
hold the attention of
The soprano held the audience
The soprano held the audience
This story held our interest
This story held our interest
She can hold an audience spellbound
She can hold an audience spellbound
-
()
Bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted
(
obligate
, bind
, hold
, oblige
)
bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted
He's held by a contract
He's held by a contract
I'll hold you by your promise
I'll hold you by your promise
-
()
Protect against a challenge or attack
(
hold
, guard
, defend
)
protect against a challenge or attack
Hold that position behind the trees!
Hold that position behind the trees!
Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks
Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks
-
()
Arrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in advance
(
reserve
, book
, hold
)
arrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in advance
Reserve me a seat on a flight
reserve me a seat on a flight
The agent booked tickets to the show for the whole family
The agent booked tickets to the show for the whole family
Please hold a table at Maxim's
please hold a table at Maxim's
-
()
Be capable of holding or containing
(
contain
, take
, hold
)
be capable of holding or containing
This box won't take all the items
This box won't take all the items
The flask holds one gallon
The flask holds one gallon
-
()
Have as a major characteristic
(
hold
)
have as a major characteristic
The novel holds many surprises
The novel holds many surprises
The book holds in store much valuable advise
The book holds in store much valuable advise
-
Keep from exhaling or expelling
(
hold
)
keep from exhaling or expelling
Hold your breath
hold your breath
-
Be in accord; be in agreement
(
concord
, hold
, concur
, agree
)
be in accord; be in agreement
We agreed on the terms of the settlement
We agreed on the terms of the settlement
I can't agree with you!
I can't agree with you!
I hold with those who say life is sacred
I hold with those who say life is sacred
Both philosophers concord on this point
Both philosophers concord on this point
-
Declare to be
(
adjudge
, hold
, declare
)
declare to be
She was declared incompetent
She was declared incompetent
Judge held that the defendant was innocent
judge held that the defendant was innocent
-
Aim, point, or direct
(
hold
)
aim, point, or direct
Hold the fire extinguisher directly on the flames
Hold the fire extinguisher directly on the flames
-
Drink alcohol without showing ill effects
(
carry
, hold
)
drink alcohol without showing ill effects
He can hold his liquor
He can hold his liquor
He had drunk more than he could carry
he had drunk more than he could carry
-
Cover as for protection against noise or smell
(
hold
)
cover as for protection against noise or smell
She held her ears when the jackhammer started to operate
She held her ears when the jackhammer started to operate
Hold one's nose
hold one's nose
-
Cause to stop
(
arrest
, hold
, halt
)
cause to stop
Halt the engines
Halt the engines
Arrest the progress
Arrest the progress
Halt the presses
halt the presses
-
Take and maintain control over, often by violent means
(
hold
)
take and maintain control over, often by violent means
The dissatisfied students held the President's office for almost a week
The dissatisfied students held the President's office for almost a week
-
Keep from departing
(
hold
)
keep from departing
Hold the taxi
Hold the taxi
Hold the horse
Hold the horse
-
Lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits
(
hold
, moderate
, hold in
, check
, contain
, control
, curb
)
lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits
Moderate your alcohol intake
moderate your alcohol intake
Hold your tongue
hold your tongue
Hold your temper
hold your temper
Control your anger
control your anger
-
Stop dealing with
(
hold
)
stop dealing with
Hold all calls to the President's office while he is in a meeting
hold all calls to the President's office while he is in a meeting
-
Be pertinent, relevant or applicable
(
hold
, go for
, apply
)
be pertinent, relevant or applicable
The same laws apply to you!
The same laws apply to you!
This theory holds for all irrational numbers
This theory holds for all irrational numbers
The same rules go for everyone
The same rules go for everyone
-
Resist or confront with resistance
(
hold
, hold up
, withstand
, defy
)
resist or confront with resistance
The politician defied public opinion
The politician defied public opinion
The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear
The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear
The bridge held
The bridge held
