hold

Meanings

• the act of grasping
  • "she kept a firm hold on the railing"
• understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something
• power by which something or someone is affected or dominated
  • "he has a hold over them"
• time during which some action is awaited
  • "he ordered a hold in the action"
• a state of being confined (usually for a short time)
  • "the prisoner is on hold"
• a stronghold
• a cell in a jail or prison
• the appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it
• the space in a ship or aircraft for storing cargo
• keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g.,
  • "hold in place"
• have or hold in one's hands or grip
  • "Hold this bowl for a moment, please"
  • "A crazy idea took hold of him"
• organize or be responsible for
  • "hold a reception"
• have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense
  • "She holds a Master's degree from Harvard"
• keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view
  • "hold these truths to be self-evident"
  • "I hold him personally responsible"
• maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
• to close within bounds, limit or hold back from movement
  • "This holds the local until the express passengers change trains"
• secure and keep for possible future use or application
• have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices
• be the physical support of; carry the weight of
  • "The beam holds up the roof"
  • "What's holding that mirror?"
• contain or hold; have within
  • "The canteen holds fresh water"
• have room for; hold without crowding
  • "The auditorium can't hold more than 500 people"
• remain in a certain state, position, or condition
• support or hold in a certain manner
  • "She holds her head high"
• be valid, applicable, or true
  • "This theory still holds"
• assert or affirm
  • "Rousseau's philosophy holds that people are inherently good"
• have as a major characteristic
  • "The novel holds many surprises"
  • "The book holds in store much valuable advise"
• be capable of holding or containing
  • "The flask holds one gallon"
• arrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in advance
  • "please hold a table at Maxim's"
• protect against a challenge or attack
  • "Hold that position behind the trees!"
  • "Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks"
• bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted
  • "I'll hold you by your promise"
• hold the attention of
  • "She can hold an audience spellbound"
• remain committed to
  • "I hold to these ideas"
• resist or confront with resistance
• be pertinent or relevant or applicable
  • "This theory holds for all irrational numbers"
• stop dealing with
  • "hold all calls to the President's office while he is in a meeting"
• lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits
  • "hold your tongue"
  • "hold your temper"
• keep from departing
  • "Hold the taxi"
  • "Hold the horse"
• take and maintain control over, often by violent means
• cause to stop
• cover as for protection against noise or smell
  • "hold one's nose"
• drink alcohol without showing ill effects
  • "He can hold his liquor"
• aim, point, or direct
  • "Hold the fire extinguisher directly on the flames"
• declare to be
• be in accord; be in agreement
  • "I hold with those who say life is sacred"
• keep from exhaling or expelling
  • "hold your breath"

Synonyms

accommodate, adjudge, admit, agree, apply, appreciation, arrest, bear, bind, book, cargo area, cargo deck, cargo hold, carry, check, clasp, clench, clutch, clutches, concord, concur, confine, contain, control, curb, custody, declare, deem, defend, defy, delay, detainment, detention, entertain, give, go for, grasp, grip, guard, halt, handgrip, handle, harbor, harbour, have, have got, hold back, hold in, hold up, keep, keep back, maintain, make, moderate, nurse, obligate, oblige, obtain, postponement, prevail, reserve, restrain, retain, storage area, support, sustain, take, take for, take hold, throw, time lag, view as, wait, withstand