Holds — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms
Meaning & Definition of Holds
Holds (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
- to hinder the progress or achievement of, restrain
- to keep from advancing to the next stage, grade, or level
- to refrain from revealing or parting with
Holds (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
- a hold that involves strong choking pressure applied to the neck of another
- absolute dominance or control
- the level base of a room
- the lower inside surface of a hollow structure (such as a cave or bodily part)
- a ground surface
Holds (adjective)
- free of restrictions or hampering conventions
Holds (phrase)
- advocate, defend —usually used in negative constructions
- to qualify for comparison with
- to be the center of attention among friends or admirers
Holds (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"
-
to continue to have in one's possession or power
"she, and she alone, held the keys to the mysterious chest"
-
to have as an opinion
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal"
-
to have within
"the mysterious chest held an ancient book on magic spells and potions"
-
to keep in one's mind or heart
"still held her close to his heart, though they had long parted"
-
to keep, control, or experience as one's own
"the same family has held this piece of land for over 100 years"
-
to make or have room for
"the couple needed to rent a hall that would hold 300 people"
-
to reach for and take hold of by embracing with the fingers or arms
"please hold my arm on these slippery stairs"
-
to think of in a particular way
"held to be the best blueberry pies in the state"
-
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"
-
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal
"held the camera on the actor throughout the scene"
Holds (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms
-
the act or manner of holding
"make sure you have a firm hold on the chain saw before you turn it on"
-
a structure or place from which one can resist attack
"the ruins of an ancient Roman hold"
-
the right or means to command or control others
"the government has no hold over where we live and work"
-
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"
-
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 Holds
The most common words with a similar meaning to Holds:
Antonyms & Opposite Words for Holds
Words with the opposite meaning of Holds:
Near Antonyms of Holds
Word Forms of Holds
Inflections: held, holding, floors, held back, holding back, holds back
Origin & Etymology of Holds
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
Words & Phrases Containing Holds
Frequently Asked Questions about Holds
What does "Holds" mean?
"Holds" means to have possession or ownership of or have at one's disposal. As an a verb, a noun, an adjective and a phrase, it is defined as: to have possession or ownership of or have at one's disposal. It has 17 distinct senses.
What is another word for "Holds"?
Other words for "Holds" include clenches, clings (to), clutches, grips, keeps, reserves, retains and withholds. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Holds" you intend.
What are different ways to say "Holds"?
There are 314 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Holds". Common alternatives include clenches, clings (to), clutches, grips, keeps, reserves, retains, withholds, allows and believes.
What is a slang word for "Holds"?
Slang words for "Holds" include big houses, clinks, joints, pokeys, stirs and nicks.
What is the opposite of "Holds"?
Antonyms of "Holds" include gives up, hands over, releases, relinquishes, surrenders, yields, lacks and wants. Near antonyms include drops, gives, hands and unclasps.
How do you use "Holds" in a sentence?
Examples of "Holds" 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 "Holds" a noun, verb, or adjective?
"Holds" can be used as a verb, a noun, an adjective and a phrase, depending on the context.
How do you pronounce "Holds"?
"Holds" is pronounced /ˈhōld/ as a verb, /ˌnō-ˌhōl(d)z-ˈbärd/ as an adjective and /ˈflȯr/ as a noun.