behold

verb

be·​hold bi-ˈhōld How to pronounce behold (audio)
bē-
beheld bi-ˈheld How to pronounce behold (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And Akhtar thought about a play in which a consummate artist at the peak of his powers beholds a new technology and confronts his own obsolescence in the face of something so sublime. Ayad Akhtar, The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2024 On Wednesday, his full-court outlet passes were a sight to behold, and his ability to run the offense — always vital — has been highlighted with only one point guard, Brandin Podziemski in the lineup. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 31 Oct. 2024 One day in August, padding around in pink shorts and white socks, Mezrich, a bespectacled 55-year-old with spiked hair, leads me upstairs to behold it. Simon Van Zuylen-Wood, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024 Deer Valley Resort, Utah Deer Valley Resort is a wonder to behold. Roger Sands, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for behold 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of behold was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near behold

Cite this Entry

“Behold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behold. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

behold

verb
be·​hold bi-ˈhōld How to pronounce behold (audio)
beheld -ˌheld How to pronounce behold (audio) ; beholding
: to look upon : see
beholder noun

More from Merriam-Webster on behold

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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