Word Games Pro Dictionary

hold

noun verb

the act of grasping

Quick reference

Word Facts

Word length
4
Starts with
H
Ends with
D
Contains
OL
Scrabble score
8
Database source
OEWN 2025 Core

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Audio Pronunciation

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Meaning

Definitions

noun

  1. the act of grasping

    “he released his clasp on my arm”

noun

  1. the space in a ship or aircraft for storing cargo

noun

  1. 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”

noun

  1. a cell in a jail or prison

noun

  1. a stronghold

noun

  1. power by which something or someone is affected or dominated

    “he has a hold over them”

noun

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

    “he has a good grasp of accounting practices”

noun

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

    “his detention was politically motivated”

noun

  1. time during which some action is awaited

    “instant replay caused too long a delay”

verb

  1. keep from exhaling or expelling

    “hold your breath”

verb

  1. remain committed to

    “I hold to these ideas”

verb

  1. assert or affirm

    “Rousseau's philosophy holds that people are inherently good”

verb

  1. keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view

    “take for granted”

verb

  1. hold the attention of

    “The soprano held the audience”

verb

  1. be in accord; be in agreement

    “We agreed on the terms of the settlement”

verb

  1. declare to be

    “She was declared incompetent”

verb

  1. bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted

    “He's held by a contract”

verb

  1. protect against a challenge or attack

    “Hold that position behind the trees!”

verb

  1. aim, point, or direct

    “Hold the fire extinguisher directly on the flames”

verb

  1. drink alcohol without showing ill effects

    “He can hold his liquor”

verb

  1. have or hold in one's hands or grip

    “Hold this bowl for a moment, please”

verb

  1. be the physical support of; carry the weight of

    “The beam holds up the roof”

verb

  1. to close within bounds, or otherwise limit or deprive of free movement

    “This holds the local until the express passengers change trains”

verb

  1. cover as for protection against noise or smell

    “She held her ears when the jackhammer started to operate”

verb

  1. support or hold in a certain manner

    “She holds her head high”

verb

  1. organize or be responsible for

    “hold a reception”

verb

  1. maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)

    “bear a grudge”

verb

  1. cause to come to an abrupt stop

    “Halt the engines”

verb

  1. have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense

    “She has $1,000 in the bank”

verb

  1. secure and keep for possible future use or application

    “The landlord retained the security deposit”

verb

  1. have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices

    “She bears the title of Duchess”

verb

  1. take and maintain control over, often by violent means

    “The dissatisfied students held the President's office for almost a week”

verb

  1. keep from departing

    “Hold the taxi”

verb

  1. arrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in advance

    “reserve me a seat on a flight”

verb

  1. lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits

    “moderate your alcohol intake”

verb

  1. stop dealing with

    “hold all calls to the President's office while he is in a meeting”

verb

  1. be valid, applicable, or true

    “This theory still holds”

verb

  1. be pertinent or relevant or applicable

    “The same laws apply to you!”

verb

  1. cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity

    “hold in place”

verb

  1. remain in a certain state, position, or condition

    “The weather held”

verb

  1. contain or hold; have within

    “The jar carries wine”

verb

  1. be capable of holding or containing

    “This box won't take all the items”

verb

  1. resist or confront with resistance

    “The politician defied public opinion”

verb

  1. have room for; hold without crowding

    “This hotel can accommodate 250 guests”

verb

  1. have as a major characteristic

    “The novel holds many surprises”

In context

Example Sentences

he released his clasp on my arm
he has a strong grip for an old man
she kept a firm hold on the railing
he grabbed the hammer by the handle
it was an old briefcase but it still had a good grip
he has a hold over them
he has a good grasp of accounting practices
his detention was politically motivated
the prisoner is on hold
he is in the custody of police
instant replay caused too long a delay
he ordered a hold in the action
hold your breath
I hold to these ideas
Rousseau's philosophy holds that people are inherently good
take for granted
view as important
hold these truths to be self-evident
I hold him personally responsible
The soprano held the audience
This story held our interest
She can hold an audience spellbound
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
She was declared incompetent
judge held that the defendant was innocent
He's held by a contract
I'll hold you by your promise
Hold that position behind the trees!
Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks
Hold the fire extinguisher directly on the flames
He can hold his liquor
he had drunk more than he could carry
Hold this bowl for a moment, please
The beam holds up the roof
He supported me with one hand while I balanced on the beam
What's holding that mirror?
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
She held her ears when the jackhammer started to operate
hold one's nose
She holds her head high
He carried himself upright
hold a reception
have, throw, or make a party
give a course

Similar words

Synonyms

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