Hold — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms
Meaning & Definition of Hold
Hold (verb)
- to have possession or ownership of or have at one's disposal
- to have as a privilege or position of responsibility
- to have as a mark of distinction
Hold (noun)
- stronghold
- confinement, custody
- prison
- the interior of a ship below decks; especially, the cargo deck of a ship
- the cargo compartment of a plane
Hold (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms
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to have or keep in one's hands
"this casserole dish is too hot to hold, so grab a potholder"
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to continue to have in one's possession or power
"she, and she alone, held the keys to the mysterious chest"
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to have as an opinion
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal"
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to have within
"the mysterious chest held an ancient book on magic spells and potions"
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to keep in one's mind or heart
"still held her close to his heart, though they had long parted"
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to keep, control, or experience as one's own
"the same family has held this piece of land for over 100 years"
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to make or have room for
"the couple needed to rent a hall that would hold 300 people"
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to reach for and take hold of by embracing with the fingers or arms
"please hold my arm on these slippery stairs"
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to think of in a particular way
"held to be the best blueberry pies in the state"
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to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)
"we managed to hold our laughter until we got outside"
"hold your temper until you hear the whole story"
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to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal
"held the camera on the actor throughout the scene"
Hold (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms
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the act or manner of holding
"make sure you have a firm hold on the chain saw before you turn it on"
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a structure or place from which one can resist attack
"the ruins of an ancient Roman hold"
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the right or means to command or control others
"the government has no hold over where we live and work"
-
the state or fact of being able to exchange information regarding one's current situation
"I worry that I won't be able to get hold of you in an emergency"
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a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody
"upon hearing the guilty verdict, the accused realized that he would lie in that godforsaken hold for the remainder of his life"
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the knowledge gained from the process of coming to know or understand something
"I need to get hold of the situation before planning a course of action"
-
the state of being held in lawful custody
"a suspected terrorist who was abducted at an airport and put in hold at an undisclosed location"
Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Hold
The most common words with a similar meaning to Hold:
Antonyms & Opposite Words for Hold
Words with the opposite meaning of Hold:
Near Antonyms of Hold
Word Forms of Hold
Origin & Etymology of Hold
Middle English holden, going back to Old English healdan, going back to Germanic *hald-a-, whence also Old High German haltan "to protect, guard, hold," Old Saxon haldan, Old Norse halda, Gothic haldan "to tend, graze (cattle)"; perhaps, if -d- (going back to Indo-European *-dh-) is a root extension with resultative meaning, a derivative from the Indo-European base *kelh1- "set in motion," with sense shift from "pasture" to "keep, protect" to "hold" accelerate
First known use: before 12th centuryt
Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Hold
- CEFR level: A2 English Vocabulary — Page 8
- Topics: Common Actions / Verbs
Words & Phrases Containing Hold
Frequently Asked Questions about Hold
What does "Hold" mean?
"Hold" means to have possession or ownership of or have at one's disposal. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to have possession or ownership of or have at one's disposal. It has 18 distinct senses.
What is another word for "Hold"?
Other words for "Hold" include clench, cling (to), clutch, grip, keep, reserve, retain and withhold. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Hold" you intend.
What are different ways to say "Hold"?
There are 324 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Hold". Common alternatives include clench, cling (to), clutch, grip, keep, reserve, retain, withhold, allow and believe.
What is a slang word for "Hold"?
Slang words for "Hold" include big house, clink, joint, pokey, stir and nick.
What is the opposite of "Hold"?
Antonyms of "Hold" include give up, hand over, release, relinquish, surrender, yield, lack and want. Near antonyms include drop, give, hand and unclasp.
How do you use "Hold" in a sentence?
Examples of "Hold" in a sentence: "this casserole dish is too hot to hold, so grab a potholder"; "she, and she alone, held the keys to the mysterious chest"; "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal".
Is "Hold" a noun, verb, or adjective?
"Hold" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.
Is "Hold" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?
As an A2-level word, "Hold" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.