Hold (Verb)
Meaning 1
Secure and keep for possible future use or application; "The landlord retained the security deposit"; "I reserve the right to disagree".
Classification
Verbs of buying, selling, owning.
Examples
- The company will hold the confidential data until further notice.
- She will hold the position until her successor is chosen.
- They hold the patent for the innovative technology.
- The university will hold the scholarship for the winning candidate.
- The museum will hold the artwork in storage for restoration.
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Meaning 2
Organize or be responsible for; "hold a reception"; "have, throw, or make a party"; "give a course".
Classification
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing.
Examples
- The university will hold a graduation ceremony for its students next month.
- The charity organization will hold a fundraising gala at the luxury hotel.
- The professor will hold office hours twice a week to meet with students.
- The company will hold a training workshop for new employees next quarter.
- The city council will hold a public forum to discuss the new development proposals.
Synonyms
Meaning 3
Stop dealing with; "hold all calls to the President's office while he is in a meeting".
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.
Examples
- Hold all phone calls to the sales team while they're closing the deal.
- Hold all incoming emails until the server maintenance is complete.
- Hold all visitors at the entrance until further clearance is given.
- Hold all outgoing mail for today, the postal service is on strike.
- Hold all internet access to the students until their assignments are submitted.
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Meaning 4
Bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted; "He's held by a contract"; "I'll hold you by your promise".
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- The company is held by a 10-year lease agreement and can't break it without penalties.
- She's held by her warranty to fix any problems within a year of purchase.
- The couple felt held by their parents' expectations to pursue certain careers.
- As a public figure, he's held by his previous statement and can't retract it now.
- They're held by their loan agreement to make monthly payments for the next five years.
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Meaning 5
Maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings); "bear a grudge"; "entertain interesting notions"; "harbor a resentment".
Classification
Verbs of feeling.
Examples
- She held onto the idea that their relationship would work out in the end despite her friends' reservations.
- He holds a grudge against his brother for what happened during their childhood.
- Many people in the field still hold the theory that global warming is a natural phenomenon.
- For years, she had held a deep resentment towards her former boss who had fired her unfairly.
- He holds onto the notion that one day he will travel around the world without any money, just relying on the kindness of strangers.
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Meaning 6
Cause to stop; "Halt the engines"; "Arrest the progress"; "halt the presses".
Classification
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming.
Examples
- The police officer held the suspect until backup arrived.
- Please hold the phone line, I need to speak with my manager.
- We had to hold production because key materials were missing.
- Stop the press, hold the headline until we confirm the information.
- The air traffic controller requested the pilot to hold the plane until takeoff was cleared.
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Meaning 7
Take and maintain control over, often by violent means; "The dissatisfied students held the President's office for almost a week".
Classification
Verbs of political and social activities and events.
Examples
- The protesters held the city square for several days to voice their demands.
- The police officers held the suspect at gunpoint until backup arrived.
- The striking workers held the factory for three weeks before a resolution was reached.
- The militant group held the hostages for ransom in a remote hideout.
- The rebel forces held the strategic location until the enemy's reinforcements were exhausted.
Hypernyms
Meaning 8
Remain committed to; "I hold to these ideas".
Classification
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting.
Examples
- She holds to the traditional values of her family and will not let them go.
- The company's mission statement is based on principles that the CEO holds to dearly.
- He holds to the idea that everyone should have access to healthcare and education.
- Throughout the crisis, she holds to her vision of a better future for the community.
- They hold to the core values that have guided the organization since its inception.
Hypernyms
Meaning 9
Keep from exhaling or expelling; "hold your breath".
Classification
Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care.
Examples
- Hold your breath while you count to ten before releasing it slowly.
- When you snorkel, be sure to hold your breath and not to inhale water.
- She was told to hold her breath and remain still during the MRI scan.
- You should hold your breath while your friend takes the picture underwater.
- To prevent choking, hold your breath for a second until the object is removed.
Hypernyms
Meaning 10
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".
Classification
Verbs of buying, selling, owning.
Examples
- She holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Stanford University.
- He holds a wealth of information about the history of the company.
- The museum holds an impressive collection of artifacts from ancient civilizations.
- She holds the record for the fastest marathon time in the state.
- The company holds a significant share of the market in the industry.
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Meaning 11
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".
Classification
Verbs of political and social activities and events.
Examples
- Hold me a room at the hotel with a view of the city, I'll be checking in tomorrow.
- Please hold a pair of tickets to the concert for us, we'll pick them up later.
- Can you hold a reservation for eight people at 8 pm, we might be late.
- We'd like you to hold a table by the window in your restaurant for our anniversary tonight.
- Can the travel agency hold these flight dates and fares for me until tomorrow morning.
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Meaning 12
Drink alcohol without showing ill effects; "He can hold his liquor"; "he had drunk more than he could carry".
Classification
Verbs of eating and drinking.
Examples
- After a few drinks, it was clear that he could hold his liquor, unlike his friend who was already stumbling.
- She had to limit her drinking because she knew she couldn't hold her wine as well as some of her friends.
- My brother claims he can drink an entire bottle of whiskey without issue, but I think he's just good at pretending to hold his liquor.
- His tolerance was impressive; he could down shots all night and still appear to be completely unaffected, able to hold his drink like a pro.
- He'd had more to drink than he could carry and was now swaying heavily as he tried to make his way to the bathroom.
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Meaning 13
Aim, point, or direct; "Hold the fire extinguisher directly on the flames".
Classification
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities.
Examples
- Hold the camera steady on the subject's face to capture a better portrait.
- Please hold your pointer directly over the map legend to see its description.
- Hold the flashlight beam directly on the lock to illuminate the keyhole.
- The actor was instructed to hold her gaze directly on her co-star during the dialogue scene.
- The sailor was trained to hold the binoculars steady on the horizon to spot any signs of land.
Hypernyms
Meaning 14
Cause to continue 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".
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.
Examples
- The teacher held the students' attention with an interactive lesson plan.
- The manager held the team to their high standards of customer service.
- She always held herself to her strict exercise routine.
- The police held him in custody overnight for further questioning.
- Her parents held her back from acting impulsively by offering words of caution.
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Meaning 15
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?".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- The metal rod holds up the entire bookshelf.
- The thin wire is barely holding the weight of the picture frame.
- The strong pillars hold the entire temple structure.
- The water's surface holds the delicate lotus flowers in place.
- The rusty hinges hold the creaky old door together.
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Meaning 16
Hold the attention of; "The soprano held the audience"; "This story held our interest"; "She can hold an audience spellbound".
Classification
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting.
Examples
- The young actor held the crowd's attention throughout his monologue with ease.
- The debate held our interest from start to finish, sparking intense discussions.
- The renowned motivational speaker held the audience spellbound with her inspiring words.
- Her captivating voice held the room's attention, silencing even the noisiest of whispers.
- The suspenseful plot held my interest, making it impossible to put the book down.
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Meaning 17
Declare to be; "She was declared incompetent"; "judge held that the defendant was innocent".
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- The court held that the defendant's actions were not a crime.
- In the statement, the judge held that the witness's testimony was unreliable.
- The commission held that the company was responsible for the environmental damage.
- The jury held that the evidence presented did not prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
- The referee held that the foul was intentional and gave the opposing team a free kick.
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Meaning 18
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".
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.
Examples
- The same principles of physics hold for any planet in the universe.
- The tax laws apply to everyone, this holds regardless of your income level.
- This theory holds true even in extreme conditions.
- The same basic requirements for a healthy life hold for any living being.
- The rules of gravity hold everywhere in the universe.
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Meaning 19
Cover as for protection against noise or smell; "She held her ears when the jackhammer started to operate"; "hold one's nose".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- She held her ears when the firework exploded loudly behind her.
- Hold your nose, the smell of the garbage is terrible.
- He held his breath to avoid inhaling the smoke from the burning building.
- She held her breath as the strong odor of the sewers wafted up.
- Hold your ears, the kids are going to start screaming in a minute.
Meaning 20
Resist or confront with resistance; "The politician defied public opinion"; "The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear"; "The bridge held".
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.
Examples
- The city's old dam held under the intense pressure of the floods but was in need of repair.
- Their team showed incredible endurance and held the other team to a scoreless tie.
- The reinforced doors held against the burglars' attempts to break in.
- Despite working in extreme conditions the crew managed to hold their position and complete the rescue.
- The country's weak currency held its value remarkably during the economic crisis.
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Meaning 21
Have as a major characteristic; "The novel holds many surprises"; "The book holds in store much valuable advise".
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.
Examples
- The city holds a special place in her heart due to fond memories of her childhood.
- Her new job holds many opportunities for professional growth.
- Life holds many uncertainties, and we must learn to adapt.
- The ancient temple holds in store a wealth of historical secrets and mysteries.
- The new smartphone model holds in its design the latest advancements in technology.
Meaning 22
Have or hold in one's hands or grip; "Hold this bowl for a moment, please"; "A crazy idea took hold of him".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- She gently held the antique vase to inspect it for damage.
- The excited boy struggled to hold onto his balloon in the strong wind.
- As she performed surgery, the nurse held the instruments ready for the doctor.
- He took a tight hold of the rope to avoid slipping.
- With delicate fingers, she held a still-sleeping frog to show her siblings.
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Meaning 23
Be valid, applicable, or true; "This theory still holds".
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.
Examples
- The laws of physics hold true, even in extreme environments.
- Their views on the matter still hold, despite recent discoveries.
- This historical account holds for most of the events that took place.
- Their theory holds up well under scrutiny and further testing.
- That ancient proverb still holds, even in modern times.
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Meaning 24
Be capable of holding or containing; "This box won't take all the items"; "The flask holds one gallon".
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.
Examples
- This large bin can hold up to twenty kilograms of garbage.
- The gas tank holds about fifteen gallons of fuel.
- This bucket won't hold all the water from the sink.
- The thermos holds eight cups of coffee, which is perfect for our team.
- The storage facility can hold approximately one hundred vehicles at a time.
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Meaning 25
Support or hold in a certain manner; "She holds her head high"; "He carried himself upright".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- She holds her head high despite the challenging situation she's in.
- He always holds himself upright with pride and confidence.
- The staff holds the company together during the ongoing crisis.
- She holds her newborn baby gently in her arms.
- The pillars hold the roof up firmly, providing structural support.
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Meaning 26
Keep from departing; "Hold the taxi"; "Hold the horse".
Classification
Verbs of political and social activities and events.
Examples
- Hold the elevator for me, I'm coming right down.
- Please hold the dog while I get the leash.
- Hold the stairs for my brother, he's on his way down.
- Can you hold the door open for me, I have my hands full.
- Hold the elevator, I've left something in my office.
Hypernyms
Meaning 27
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".
Classification
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting.
Examples
- She holds her family's safety as her top priority.
- I hold it to be a fundamental right for everyone to have access to clean water.
- Many experts hold this new technology to be a game-changer in the field.
- He holds her personally responsible for the current financial difficulties.
- The government holds the preservation of the environment to be of utmost importance.
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Meaning 28
Have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices; "She bears the title of Duchess"; "He held the governorship for almost a decade".
Classification
Verbs of buying, selling, owning.
Examples
- He held the office of CEO for over 20 years before retiring.
- She has held the chair of the history department since 2005.
- After winning the election, he will hold the position of mayor for four years.
- He held the title of president until his resignation in 2018.
- She has held the leadership of the company for almost a decade.
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Meaning 29
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".
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.
Examples
- This small elevator can hold about six people at a time.
- The stadium can hold over 80,000 spectators for big events.
- Our meeting room can hold up to 20 people for conferences.
- This huge concert venue can hold around 15,000 music fans for live performances.
- The library's main hall can hold about 500 students for lectures and seminars.
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Meaning 30
Protect against a challenge or attack; "Hold that position behind the trees!"; "Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks".
Classification
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities.
Examples
- The firefighters worked tirelessly to hold the line against the spreading flames.
- The castle's defenses were weakened, but the king's men could still hold the fortress against the invaders.
- The football player managed to hold the defensive line despite being outnumbered by the opposing team.
- The soldiers were ordered to hold their ground and wait for reinforcements to arrive.
- The castle walls were strong, and the defenders could hold the fort against the enemy's prolonged siege.
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Meaning 31
To close within bounds, or otherwise limit or deprive of free 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".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- The courtroom doors were held until the judge arrived, and the trial could begin.
- About two hundred and fifty people were held inside the temporary shelter after the storm warning was issued.
- The new policy holds the cars in the dealership parking lot until the inspection is complete.
- Several protesters were held by police after attempting to disrupt the city parade.
- Authorities held the suspect at the airport while they verified the identification documents.
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Meaning 32
Contain or hold; have within; "The jar carries wine"; "The canteen holds fresh water"; "This can contains water".
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.
Examples
- The thermos holds hot coffee for several hours.
- The suitcase contains more clothes than it can hold.
- This box holds all our photo albums and frames.
- The water bottle can hold up to a liter of liquid.
- The pantries holds enough food for a week.
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Meaning 33
Remain in a certain state, position, or condition; "The weather held"; "They held on the road and kept marching".
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.
Examples
- The temperature held steady at 25 degrees Celsius throughout the day.
- Their hopes held even when all seemed lost.
- Her voice held strong and confident during the debate.
- Despite the increasing pressure, the door held firm and would not budge.
- Their position held for hours, until reinforcements arrived.
Hypernyms
Meaning 34
Assert or affirm; "Rousseau's philosophy holds that people are inherently good".
Classification
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting.
Examples
- The theory holds that the universe will eventually collapse into a singularity.
- This concept holds that time and space are relative to the observer.
- Darwin's theory of evolution holds that species adapt to their environments through natural selection.
- The company's mission statement holds that customer satisfaction is its main goal.
- Hinduism holds that the soul reborning into different lives until it reaches a state of enlightenment.
Hypernyms
Meaning 35
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".
Classification
Verbs of political and social activities and events.
Examples
- She tried to hold her anger as she listened to his insensitive comments.
- He advised his young son to hold his temper and think before reacting.
- The group was warned to hold their emotions during the difficult meeting.
- Her parents encouraged her to hold her tears back until they were alone.
- The politician learned to hold her tongue during heated debates to maintain a professional image.
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Meaning 36
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".
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- I hold with those who say that honesty is the best policy.
- The team leaders hold that a fair decision was made in the meeting.
- They hold with the idea that everyone deserves a second chance.
- I hold with my friends who think we should end this project now.
- The judge holds that the defendant's rights were not violated.