held
ˈheld
; holding
1
a
: to have possession or ownership of or have at one's disposal
holds property worth millions
the bank holds the title to the car
b
: to have as a privilege or position of responsibility
hold a professorship
c
: to have as a mark of distinction
holds the record for the 100-yard dash
holds a PhD
2
: to keep under restraint
hold price increases to a minimum
: such as
a
: to prevent free expression of
hold your temper
b
: to prevent from some action
ordered the troops to hold fire
the only restraining motive which may hold the hand of a tyrant—Thomas Jefferson
c
: to keep back from use
ask them to hold a room for us
I'll have a hot dog, and hold the mustard
d
: to delay temporarily the handling of
please hold all my calls
3
: to make liable or accountable or bound to an obligation
I'll hold you to your promise
4
b
: to support in a particular position or keep from falling or moving
hold me up so I can see
hold the ladder steady
a clamp holds the whole thing together
hold your head up
c
: to bear the pressure of : support
can the roof hold all of that weight
5
: to prevent from leaving or getting away
hold the train
: such as
a
: to avoid emitting or letting out
how long can you hold your breath
b
: to restrain as or as if a captive
the suspect was held without bail
held them at gunpoint
also
: to have strong appeal to
the book held my interest throughout
6
a
: to enclose and keep in a container or within bounds : contain
the jug holds one gallon
this corral will not hold all of the horses
b
: to be able to consume easily or without undue effect
can't hold any more pie
especially
: to be able to drink (alcoholic beverages) without becoming noticeably drunk
can't hold your liquor
c
: accommodate
the restaurant holds 400 diners
d
: to have as a principal or essential feature or attribute
the book holds a number of surprises
also
: to have in store
no one knows what the future holds
7
a
: to have in the mind or express as a judgment, opinion, or belief
I hold the view that this is wrong
hold a grudge
holding that it is nobody's business but his—Jack Olsen
—often used with againstin America they hold everything you say against you—Paul McCartney
b
: to think of in a particular way : regard
were held in high esteem
8
a
: to assemble for and carry on the activity of
held a convention
b
: to cause to be carried on : conduct
will hold a seminar
c
: to produce or sponsor especially as a public exhibition
will hold an art show
9
a
: to maintain occupation, control, or defense of
the troops held the ridge
also
: to resist the offensive efforts or advance of
held the opposing team to just two points
b
: to maintain (a certain condition, situation, or course of action) without change
hold a course due east
10
: to cover (a part of the body) with one or both hands (as for protection or comfort)
held his knee after the fall
especially
: to cover (the ears) to prevent hearing
held her ears when the train went by
1
a
: to maintain position : refuse to give ground
the defensive line is holding
b
: to continue in the same way or to the same degree : last entry 1
hopes the weather will hold
—often used with up
2
: to derive right or title
—often used with of or from
lands held of the Crown
3
: to be or remain valid : apply
the rule holds in most cases
—often used in the phrase hold true
4
: to maintain a grasp on something : remain fastened to something
the anchor held in the rough sea
5
: to go ahead as one has been going
held south for several miles
6
: to bear or carry oneself
asked him to hold still
8
: to stop counting during a countdown
9
slang
: to have illicit drug material in one's possession
2
a
b
: prison
3
a(1)
: the act or the manner of grasping something (as in the hands or arms) : grip
released his hold on the handle
took hold of the rope
(2)
: a manner of grasping an opponent in wrestling
applied an illegal hold
b
: a nonphysical bond that attaches, restrains, or constrains or by which something is affected, controlled, or dominated
trying to tighten her hold on the company's finances
has lost its hold on the broad public—Oscar Cargill
c
: full comprehension
get hold of exactly what is happening—J. P. Lyford
d
: full or immediate control : possession
get hold of yourself
wants to get hold of a road map
e
: touch sense 8
—used with of
tried to get hold of you, but you never answered your phone
4
: something that may be grasped as a support
searched for holds in the rock
5
a
music
: fermata
b
: the time between the onset and the release (see release entry 2 sense 3c) of a vocal articulation (see articulation sense 3b)
6
: a sudden motionless posture at the end of a dance
7
a
: an order or indication that something is to be reserved or delayed
I asked the library to put a hold on the book for me.
b
: a delay in a countdown (as in launching a spacecraft)
see also take hold
1
: the interior of a ship below decks
especially
: the cargo deck of a ship
2
: the cargo compartment of a plane
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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