Meaning of hold
Definition of hold
(noun)
the act of grasping; "he released his clasp on my arm"; "he has a strong grip for an old man"; "she kept a firm hold on the railing"
understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something; "he has a good grasp of accounting practices"
time during which some action is awaited; "instant replay caused too long a delay"; "he ordered a hold in the action"
a state of being confined (usually for a short time); "his detention was politically motivated"; "the prisoner is on hold"; "he is in the custody of police"
the appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it; "he grabbed the hammer by the handle"; "it was an old briefcase but it still had a good grip"
(verb)
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"
have or hold in one's hands or grip; "Hold this bowl for a moment, please"; "A crazy idea took hold of him"
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"
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"
maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings); "bear a grudge"; "entertain interesting notions"; "harbor a resentment"
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"
secure and keep for possible future use or application; "The landlord retained the security deposit"; "I reserve the right to disagree"
have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices; "She bears the title of Duchess"; "He held the governorship for almost a decade"
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?"
contain or hold; have within; "The jar carries wine"; "The canteen holds fresh water"; "This can contains water"
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"
remain in a certain state, position, or condition; "The weather held"; "They held on the road and kept marching"
have as a major characteristic; "The novel holds many surprises"; "The book holds in store much valuable advise"
be capable of holding or containing; "This box won't take all the items"; "The flask holds one gallon"
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"
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; "He's held by a contract"; "I'll hold you by your promise"
hold the attention of; "The soprano held the audience"; "This story held our interest"; "She can hold an audience spellbound"
resist or confront with resistance; "The politician defied public opinion"; "The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear"; "The bridge held"
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"
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"
keep from departing; "Hold the taxi"; "Hold the horse"
take and maintain control over, often by violent means; "The dissatisfied students held the President's office for almost a week"
cause to stop; "Halt the engines"; "Arrest the progress"; "halt the presses"
cover as for protection against noise or smell; "She held her ears when the jackhammer started to operate"; "hold one's nose"
drink alcohol without showing ill effects; "He can hold his liquor"; "he had drunk more than he could carry"
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"
keep from exhaling or expelling; "hold your breath"