hold
nouns
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"
power by which something or someone is affected or dominated
"he has a hold over them"
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"
a stronghold
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"
the space in a ship or aircraft for storing cargo
verbs
keep 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"
antonym
organize or be responsible for
"hold a reception"; "have, throw, or make a party"; "give a course"
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"
is derived from
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, limit or hold back from 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"
is derived from
have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices
"She bears the title of Duchess"; "He held the governorship for almost a decade"
is derived from
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?"
is derived from
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"
support or hold in a certain manner
"She holds her head high"; "He carried himself upright"
assert or affirm
"Rousseau's philosophy holds that people are inherently good"
verb group
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"
have as a major characteristic
"The novel holds many surprises"; "The book holds in store much valuable advise"
is a type of (narrower)
have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun)
"John is rich"; "This is not a good answer"
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"
remain committed to
"I hold to these ideas"
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"
stop dealing with
"hold all calls to the President's office while he is in a meeting"
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"
cover as for protection against noise or smell
"She held her ears when the jackhammer started to operate"; "hold one's nose"
is a type of (narrower)
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
"cover her face with a handkerchief"; "cover the child with a blanket"; "cover the grave with flowers"
drink alcohol without showing ill effects
"He can hold his liquor"; "he had drunk more than he could carry"
aim, point, or direct
"Hold the fire extinguisher directly on the flames"
is a type of (narrower)
point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards
"Please don't aim at your little brother!"; "He trained his gun on the burglar"; "Don't train your camera on the women"; "Take a swipe at one's opponent"
declare to be
"She was declared incompetent"; "judge held that the defendant was innocent"
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"
is a type of (narrower)
keep under control; keep in check
"suppress a smile"; "Keep your temper"; "keep your cool"
About Us
Become an Affiliate
Technology Licensing
Contributors
Contact Us
Copyright ©1998-2025 Thinkmap, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use
Already a Subscriber?
