behold

verb

be·​hold bi-ˈhōld 

bē-

beheld bi-ˈheld 

bē-

; beholding

transitive verb

1

: to perceive through sight or apprehension : see

2

: to gaze upon : observe

It was a pleasure to behold the beauty of the sunset.

The enormous crowd was a sight to behold.

intransitive verb

—used in the imperative especially to call attention

beholder noun

Synonyms

• appreciate
• apprehend
• assimilate
• catch
• catch on (to)
• cognize
• compass
• comprehend
• conceive
• cotton (to or on to)
• decipher
• decode
• dig
• discern
• get
• grasp
• grok
• intuit
• know
• make
• make out
• perceive
• recognize
• register
• savvy
• see
• seize
• sense
• tumble (to)
• twig
• understand

Examples of behold in a Sentence

Those who have beheld the beauty of the desert never forget it.

to anyone who beholds the immense complexity of life on earth

Recent Examples on the Web

But that’s not the only sight to behold at Weeki Wachee Springs. —Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025

Since October, the Vance edits have only become sweatier, more surreal, more upsetting to behold. —Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2025

Newsletter Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news The national parks within the U.S. are wonders to behold. —Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 3 Mar. 2025

The giants, led by Goliath, are neat to behold, but Saul’s hallucinations quickly grow tiresome, the least interesting way to show a secure monarch succumbing to paranoia. —Alison Herman, Variety, 27 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, to keep, behold, from Old English behealdan, from be- + healdan to hold

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing behold

• a sight to see/behold
• a sight/wonder to behold
• lo and behold

Rhymes for behold

• ahold
• billfold
• blindfold
• cajoled
• consoled
• controlled
• cotswold
• eightfold
• enfold
• enrolled
• extolled
• fivefold

Kids Definition

behold

verb

be·​hold bi-ˈhōld 

beheld -ˌheld  ; beholding

: to look upon : see

beholder noun