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

• know
• understand
• see
• recognize
• comprehend
• decipher
• appreciate
• grasp

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

His company's latest masterpiece is a sight to behold on the outside, and a feat of engineering to marvel at under the hood. —Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 26 June 2025

His leg strength was a sight to behold and gave him NFL upside. —Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 20 June 2025

Despite being a 3 p.m. ET start on a work day, much of the stadium was filled – though large portions of the eastern stands, fully in the sun on this warm June day, were empty – and the noise was something to behold. —Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 20 June 2025

The world is no longer yours to behold or to share in. —Sarah Beckwith, New Yorker, 26 May 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