hold
hold
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "hold" is /hoʊld/.
/hoʊld/ (one syllable)
/h/ as in "hat"
/oʊ/ as in "boat"
/l/ as in "light"
/d/ as in "dog"
Word Form Variations
Verb:
Base form: hold
Third-person singular present: holds
Present participle: holding
Past simple: held
Past participle: held
Noun:
Singular: hold
Plural: holds
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
To grasp or carry something with one's hands or arms.
Synonyms: grip, clasp, clutch, grasp, carry
Antonyms: release, drop, let go, relinquish
Example: She needed to hold onto the railing to steady herself.
To keep something in a particular position or state; to maintain.
Synonyms: maintain, keep, sustain, preserve, retain
Antonyms: abandon, lose, discard, give up
Example: The dam was designed to hold back the floodwaters.
To conduct, convene, or celebrate an event, meeting, or ceremony.
Synonyms: conduct, convene, organize, stage, observe
Antonyms: cancel, postpone, adjourn
Example: The school decided to hold its annual fair in August.
To possess or occupy a position, title, or property.
Synonyms: occupy, possess, own, command, bear
Antonyms: surrender, yield, vacate, resign
Example: He continues to hold the record for the fastest marathon.
To accommodate or contain a certain amount or number.
Synonyms: contain, accommodate, house, fit
Antonyms: lack, exclude, empty
Example: This bottle can hold two liters of water.
Noun
An act or manner of grasping something; a grip.
Synonyms: grip, grasp, clasp, clutch
Antonyms: release, loss, slip
Example: He lost his hold on the rope and fell.
A dominant influence or power over someone or something.
Synonyms: control, sway, power, influence, dominance
Antonyms: weakness, surrender, subjection, powerlessness
Example: The dictator had a strong hold over the nation.
A space in a ship or aircraft for carrying cargo.
Synonyms: cargo hold, storage, compartment, bay
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms in this context)
Example: The luggage was stowed in the aircraft's hold.
A suspension or delay of an action or process.
Synonyms: delay, pause, suspension, halt, stop
Antonyms: continuation, progression, acceleration
Example: The project was put on hold due to budget cuts.
Examples of Use
Books:
"He tried to hold onto the memories of his childhood, even as they faded with time." (From a work of fiction, e.g., a novel)
"The government sought to hold a firm line against the opposition's demands." (From a political analysis book)
Newspapers:
"The central bank decided to hold interest rates steady for the third consecutive quarter." (Reuters, July 2024)
"Police continue to hold several suspects in connection with the recent robbery." (The Guardian, June 2024)
Online Publications:
"Tech giants hold significant influence over global data privacy policies." (Wired, May 2024)
"Experts advise investors to hold tight during periods of market volatility." (Bloomberg.com, April 2024)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film Dialogue: "Just hold on a minute, I think I hear something." (From a suspense film)
Song Lyrics: "And I will hold you in my heart, forevermore." (From a popular song)
Video Game Instructions: "Press 'X' to hold your breath underwater." (From a video game tutorial)
Streaming Service Synopsis: "A gripping drama about a family trying to hold onto their land." (Netflix synopsis)
General Public Discourse:
"Can you hold my place in line while I grab a coffee?" (Casual conversation)
"The community hopes the new policies will hold the city accountable for its actions." (Public meeting discussion)
"I need to hold a meeting with my team to discuss the new project." (Workplace conversation)
"She has a strong hold on the local political scene." (Commentary on a public figure)
10 Quotes Using Hold
"I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical." (Thomas Jefferson)
"You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right." (Rosa Parks, often attributed with the sentiment, "Don't ever let anyone hold you down.")
"I hold myself in my own hands." (Virginia Woolf)
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." (United States Declaration of Independence)
"If you want to hold a man, you've got to let him go." (Dorothy Parker)
"To hold a pen is to be at war." (Voltaire)
"You can't hold a good man down." (Huddie Ledbetter "Lead Belly")
"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page. To hold a city in your mind like a map is a great power." (Augustine of Hippo, adapted)
"Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education." (Franklin D. Roosevelt, often paraphrased as "We must hold fast to the principles of democracy.")
"And when you can't go back, you have to worry only about the best way of moving forward. The rest is hold." (Paulo Coelho)
Etymology
The word "hold" has a long and interesting history, going back to the very roots of the English language.
It comes from the Old English word "healdan" (or "haldan" in some dialects). When it first appeared, "healdan" had a very broad meaning. It wasn't just about grasping something with your hands. Its original sense was more about keeping, tending, or watching over something, much like how a shepherd would "tend" or "watch over" their grazing cattle. It also meant "to contain," "to grasp," "to retain," "to possess," or even "to observe" a custom.
Over time, this idea of "keeping" or "having" evolved. From "watching over" cattle, it broadened to simply "having" something, or "possessing" it. You can still see a hint of this older meaning in words like "behold," which means to "look at" or "observe."
So, the core idea behind "hold" has always been about some form of keeping, containing, or controlling. From a shepherd "holding" their flock to you "holding" a book, the connection is there through centuries of language change.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Hold
Hold your horses: Wait; be patient.
Hold your tongue: Remain silent; do not speak.
Hold a grudge: Maintain resentment or anger towards someone for a past wrong.
Hold the fort: To take charge or maintain a situation in someone's absence.
Hold water: (Usually negative) To be sound, valid, or logical (e.g., "That argument doesn't hold water").
Hold your own: To maintain one's position or stand up for oneself against opposition.
Hold a candle to: To be as good as or comparable to something else (often used in the negative, "can't hold a candle to").
Hold dear: To value highly or cherish.
Hold fire: To delay shooting or taking action.
Hold on tight: To grasp firmly; also, to persevere or endure.
Hold your breath: To stop breathing for a short period; also, to wait in suspense or anticipation.
Hold a meeting/event: To organize and conduct a gathering or activity.
Hold down a job: To keep a job successfully.
Hold out for: To wait for something better or more desirable.
Hold to account: To make someone responsible for their actions.
Hold up: To delay; also, to rob, or to remain strong/durable.
Hold true: To remain accurate, consistent, or valid.
Get a hold of: To contact someone; also, to obtain something.
Take hold: To become effective or established.
No holds barred: Without any rules or limits.
On hold: Delayed or postponed; waiting on the telephone.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of hold from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
