hold

verb

\ ˈhōld

held\ ˈheld

\; holding

Definition of hold

(Entry 1 of 3)

transitive verb

1a : 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 : such 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

4a : 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 : such 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

6a : 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

7a : 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

8a : 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

9a : 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) with one or both hands(as for protection or comfort) held his knee after the fall especially : to cover (the ears) to prevent hearing held her ears when the train went by

intransitive verb

1a : 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 lands held of the Crown

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

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

hold a brief for

: advocate, defend —usually used in negative constructions I hold no brief for cartels and market allocations— J. D. Upham

hold a candle to

: to qualify for comparison with doesn't hold a candle to what she has suffered

hold court

: to be the center of attention among friends or admirers

hold forth

: to speak at length : expatiate holding forth on the subject of politics

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 prove I can hold my own with the best of them

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 She was left holding the bag for their mistakes.

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 Their version of events doesn't hold water.

hold with

: to agree with or approve of don't hold with violence

hold

Definition of hold

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