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| hold [ hōld ] |
verb (past and past participle held [ held ], present participle hold·ing, 3rd person present singular holds) |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive verb grasp something: to take something firmly and retain it in the hand or arms
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2. transitive verb lift and support something: to carry, lift, or support temporarily an object or part of the body in a particular position
  Hold the rope a little higher.
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3. transitive verb fix something in position: to keep something fixed in a particular position
The picture is held in place by two large hooks.
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4. transitive verb embrace somebody: to bring or have somebody within an embrace or supported by the arms
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5. transitive verb contain something: to be the place where something is or can be kept
a basket to hold all your sewing equipment
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6. transitive verb keep somebody in custody: to keep somebody in a particular place or condition, especially in custody
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7. transitive verb retain or reserve something: to retain or reserve something for later use or collection by somebody else
Ask if they can hold the tickets for us at the box office.
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8. transitive verb refrain from something: to refrain from doing or saying something
Please hold your applause until the end.
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9. transitive verb stop something from leaving or occurring: to stop something leaving or happening at the appointed time, usually for a particular purpose
The conductor held the train so we could board.
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10. transitive verb military keep something by force: to keep possession of something by force, especially while under attack
The insurgents held the town for some time before retreating.
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11. transitive verb have particular capacity: to contain or be able to contain a particular number or amount
holds 20 passengers
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12. transitive verb be able to consume something: to consume something, especially alcohol, without ill effect
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13. transitive verb arrange something: to arrange, take part in, or observe an activity or event
They hold a party every Friday night.
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14. transitive verb possess something: to have the right to something as a possession or achievement
The author holds the copyright to this book.
holds the property on a long lease
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15. transitive verb have particular position: to fulfill the duties of a particular title, office, or position
held the office of treasurer
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16. transitive and intransitive verb keep promise: to keep a promise or carry out an intention, or make sure that somebody does this
held her to her agreement
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17. transitive verb believe or feel something: to have a particular belief, opinion, or feeling
We hold these truths to be self-evident.
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18. transitive verb regard somebody in particular way: to regard somebody or something in a particular way
She holds her professor in very high esteem.
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19. transitive verb have particular bearing: to keep or carry the body or a part of it in a particular attitude or position
She holds herself well.
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20. transitive verb engross somebody: to engage or captivate somebody or somebody's attention
She held their attention with the dramatic tale of her solo crossing.
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21. transitive verb sustain somebody: to be enough to satisfy or sustain somebody
a breakfast that will hold us all day
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22. transitive verb law decide something legally: to decide or lay down something legally or authoritatively
The appeals court held that the lower court acted properly.
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23. transitive verb music sustain musical note: to continue singing or playing a note or a chord for a length of time
The trumpeter held the note for at least a full minute.
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24. intransitive verb persist: to continue in a particular state or course
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25. intransitive verb remain firm: to remain fast or firm and not break or give way
The levee held against the floods.
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26. intransitive verb stand firm: to maintain a position against attack or opposition
Their defensive line held.
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27. intransitive verb remain valid: to remain in force or continue to be valid
Many old sayings still hold true.
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28. intransitive verb stay fine: to continue to be fine and not become wet or cold
(
refers to the weather
)
I hope the weather holds through the weekend.
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29. transitive and intransitive verb communication wait on telephone: to maintain the connection on a telephone line while not talking, usually so that the person being called can speak to somebody else or transfer the call
Hold, please, while I try to connect you.
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noun (plural holds) |
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| Definition: |
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1. grasping: the act or position of grasping or keeping possession of something
She grabbed hold of the rope and pulled herself aboard.
has no hold on reality
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2. wrestling technique: in wrestling, a position or manner of grasping an opponent
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3. something giving support: something that may be grasped or used as a support
There were few holds on the sheer rock face.
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4. something that restrains: a structure or receptacle used for keeping something in check, e.g. a lock on a canal
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5. control over somebody or something: a controlling power or influence over somebody or something
a firm hold on the public imagination
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6. delaying of something: an act of delaying or restraining something, or an order to do this
Put a hold on their dinner order.
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7. music musical notation: a symbol appearing above or below a note or rest signaling that it can be prolonged beyond its prescribed time
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8. prison: a prison cell or place of confinement
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9. stronghold: a fortified place in a castle or other structure
(
archaic
)
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| [ Old English haldan, healdan< Germanic, "guard, watch"] |
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hold good to apply to something, or be true or valid
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hold it used to tell somebody to stop or wait
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hold something against somebody to resent something that somebody has done and to bear a grudge because of it
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no holds barred with no restrictions on what is allowed or included
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on hold
1. waiting to be connected or reconnected to somebody during a telephone call
2. into or in a state of suspension or postponement
put our vacation plans on hold
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