hold meaning and definition

HOLD noun

Definition of hold (noun)

1. the act of grasping
   • "he released his clasp on my arm"; "he has a strong grip for an old man"; "she kept a firm hold on the railing"
   • synonyms: clasp, clench, clutch, clutches, grasp, grip
2. understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something
   • "he has a good grasp of accounting practices"
   • synonyms: appreciation, grasp
3. power by which something or someone is affected or dominated
   • "he has a hold over them"
4. time during which some action is awaited
   • "instant replay caused too long a delay"; "he ordered a hold in the action"
   • synonyms: delay, postponement, time lag, wait
5. a state of being confined (usually for a short time)
   • "his detention was politically motivated"; "the prisoner is on hold"; "he is in the custody of police"
   • synonyms: custody, detainment, detention
6. a stronghold
7. a cell in a jail or prison
   • synonyms: keep
8. 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"; "it was an old briefcase but it still had a good grip"
   • synonyms: grip, handgrip, handle
9. the space in a ship or aircraft for storing cargo
   • synonyms: cargo area, cargo deck, cargo hold, storage area

HOLD verb

Definition of hold (verb)

1. keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g.
   • "keep clean"; "hold in place"; "She always held herself as a lady"; "The students keep me on my toes"
   • synonyms: keep, maintain
2. have or hold in one's hands or grip
   • "Hold this bowl for a moment, please"; "A crazy idea took hold of him"
   • synonyms: take hold
   • antonym: let go
3. organize or be responsible for
   • "hold a reception"; "have, throw, or make a party"; "give a course"
   • synonyms: give, have, make, throw
4. have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense
   • "She has $1,000 in the bank"; "He has got two beautiful daughters"; "She holds a Master's degree from Harvard"
   • synonyms: have, have got
5. keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view
   • "take for granted"; "view as important"; "hold these truths to be self-evident"; "I hold him personally responsible"
   • synonyms: deem, take for, view as
6. maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
   • "bear a grudge"; "entertain interesting notions"; "harbor a resentment"
   • synonyms: entertain, harbor, harbour, nurse
7. to close within bounds, limit or hold back from movement
   • "This holds the local until the express passengers change trains"; "About a dozen animals were held inside the stockade"; "The illegal immigrants were held at a detention center"; "The terrorists held the journalists for ransom"
   • synonyms: confine, restrain
8. secure and keep for possible future use or application
   • "The landlord retained the security deposit"; "I reserve the right to disagree"
   • synonyms: hold back, keep back, retain
9. have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices
   • "She bears the title of Duchess"; "He held the governorship for almost a decade"
   • synonyms: bear
10. be the physical support of; carry the weight of
    • "The beam holds up the roof"; "He supported me with one hand while I balanced on the beam"; "What's holding that mirror?"
    • synonyms: hold up, support, sustain
11. contain or hold; have within
    • "The jar carries wine"; "The canteen holds fresh water"; "This can contains water"
    • synonyms: bear, carry, contain
12. have room for; hold without crowding
    • "This hotel can accommodate 250 guests"; "The theater admits 300 people"; "The auditorium can't hold more than 500 people"
    • synonyms: accommodate, admit
13. remain in a certain state, position, or condition
    • "The weather held"; "They held on the road and kept marching"
14. support or hold in a certain manner
    • "She holds her head high"; "He carried himself upright"
    • synonyms: bear, carry
15. be valid, applicable, or true
    • "This theory still holds"
    • synonyms: obtain, prevail
16. assert or affirm
    • "Rousseau's philosophy holds that people are inherently good"
17. have as a major characteristic
    • "The novel holds many surprises"; "The book holds in store much valuable advise"
18. be capable of holding or containing
    • "This box won't take all the items"; "The flask holds one gallon"
    • synonyms: contain, take
19. arrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in advance
    • "reserve me a seat on a flight"; "The agent booked tickets to the show for the whole family"; "please hold a table at Maxim's"
    • synonyms: book, reserve
20. protect against a challenge or attack
    • "Hold that position behind the trees!"; "Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks"
    • synonyms: defend, guard
21. bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted
    • "He's held by a contract"; "I'll hold you by your promise"
    • synonyms: bind, obligate, oblige
22. hold the attention of
    • "The soprano held the audience"; "This story held our interest"; "She can hold an audience spellbound"
23. remain committed to
    • "I hold to these ideas"
24. resist or confront with resistance
    • "The politician defied public opinion"; "The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear"; "The bridge held"
    • synonyms: defy, hold up, withstand
25. be pertinent or relevant or applicable
    • "The same laws apply to you!"; "This theory holds for all irrational numbers"; "The same rules go for everyone"
    • synonyms: apply, go for
26. stop dealing with
    • "hold all calls to the President's office while he is in a meeting"
27. lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits
    • "moderate your alcohol intake"; "hold your tongue"; "hold your temper"; "control your anger"
    • synonyms: check, contain, control, curb, hold in, moderate
28. keep from departing
    • "Hold the taxi"; "Hold the horse"
29. take and maintain control over, often by violent means
    • "The dissatisfied students held the President's office for almost a week"
30. cause to stop
    • "Halt the engines"; "Arrest the progress"; "halt the presses"
    • synonyms: arrest, halt
31. cover as for protection against noise or smell
    • "She held her ears when the jackhammer started to operate"; "hold one's nose"
32. drink alcohol without showing ill effects
    • "He can hold his liquor"; "he had drunk more than he could carry"
    • synonyms: carry
33. aim, point, or direct
    • "Hold the fire extinguisher directly on the flames"
34. declare to be
    • "She was declared incompetent"; "judge held that the defendant was innocent"
    • synonyms: adjudge, declare
35. be in accord; be in agreement
    • "We agreed on the terms of the settlement"; "I can't agree with you!"; "I hold with those who say life is sacred"; "Both philosophers concord on this point"
    • synonyms: agree, concord, concur
    • antonym: differ
36. keep from exhaling or expelling
    • "hold your breath"