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hold

- 15 dictionary results
Beverly hills hold
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hold

1  [hohld] verb, held; held or (Archaic) hold⋅en; hold⋅ing; noun
Use hold in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to have or keep in the hand; keep fast; grasp: She held the purse in her right hand. He held the child's hand in his.
2. to set aside; reserve or retain: to hold merchandise until called for; to hold a reservation.
3. to bear, sustain, or support, as with the hands or arms, or by any other means.
4. to keep in a specified state, relation, etc.: The preacher held them spellbound.
5. to detain: The police held him at the station house.
6. to engage in; preside over; carry on: to hold a meeting.
7. to keep back from action; hinder; restrain: Fear held him from acting.
8. to have the ownership or use of; keep as one's own; occupy: to hold political office.
9. to contain or be capable of containing: This bottle holds a quart.
10. to bind or make accountable to an obligation: We will hold you to your promise to pay back the money.
11. to have or keep in the mind; think or believe: We hold this belief.
12. to regard or consider: to hold a person responsible.
13. to decide legally.
14. to consider of a certain value; rate: We held her best of all the applicants.
15. to keep forcibly, as against an adversary: Enemy forces held the hill.
16. to point, aim, or direct: He held a gun on the prisoner. The firefighter held a hose on the blaze.
17. Music. to sustain (a note, chord, or rest).
18. to omit from the usual order or combination: Give me a burger well-done—hold the pickle.
–verb (used without object)
19. to remain or continue in a specified state, relation, etc.: Hold still while I take your picture.
20. to remain fast; adhere; cling: Will this button hold?
21. to keep or maintain a grasp on something.
22. to maintain one's position against opposition; continue in resistance.
23. to agree or side (usually fol. by with): to hold with new methods.
24. to hold property by some tenure; derive title (usually fol. by by, from, in, or of).
25. to remain attached, faithful, or steadfast (usually fol. by to): to hold to one's purpose.
26. to remain valid; be in force: The rule does not hold.
27. to refrain or forbear (usually used imperatively).
–noun
28. an act of holding fast by a grasp of the hand or by some other physical means; grasp; grip: Take hold. Do you have a hold on the rope?
29. something to hold a thing by, as a handle; something to grasp, esp. for support.
30. something that holds fast or supports something else.
31. an order reserving something: to put a hold on a library book.
32. Finance. a security purchased or recommended for long-term growth.
33. a controlling force or dominating influence: to have a hold on a person.
34. Wrestling. a method of seizing an opponent and keeping him in control: a toe hold.
35. Music. fermata.
36. a pause or delay, as in a continuing series: a hold in the movements of a dance.
37. a prison or prison cell.
38. a receptacle for something: a basket used as a hold for letters.
39. Rocketry. a halt in the prelaunch countdown, either planned or unexpectedly called, to allow correction of one or more faults in the rocket or missile.
40. a fortified place; stronghold.
41. (on telephones with two or more lines) a feature that enables a person to maintain a connection on one line while answering another line.
—Verb phrases
42. hold back,
a. to restrain or check: Police held back the crowd.
b. to retain possession of; keep back: He held back ten dollars.
c. to refrain from revealing; withhold: to hold back information.
d. to refrain from participating or engaging in some activity: He held back from joining in the singing because he felt depressed.
e. Photography. dodge (def. 2).
43. hold down,
a. to restrain; check: Hold down that noise!
b. to continue to hold and manage well: She held down that job for years.
44. hold forth,
a. to extend or offer; propose.
b. to talk at great length; harangue: When we left, he was still holding forth on World War II.
45. hold in,
a. to restrain; check; curb.
b. to contain oneself; exercise restraint: He was raging inside, but held himself in for fear of saying something he would regret.
46. hold off,
a. to keep at a distance; resist; repel.
b. to postpone action; defer: If you hold off applying for a passport, you may not get one in time.
47. hold on,
a. to keep a firm grip on.
b. to keep going; continue.
c. to maintain, as one's opinion or position.
d. to stop; halt (usually used imperatively): Hold on now! That isn't what I meant at all.
e. to keep a telephone connection open by not hanging up the receiver: The operator asked us to hold on while the number we'd dialed was being checked.
48. hold out,
a. to present; offer.
b. to stretch forth; extend: Hold out your hand.
c. to continue to exist; last: Will the food hold out?
d. to refuse to yield or submit: The defenders held out for weeks.
e. to withhold something expected or due: He was suspected of holding out information important to the case.
49. hold over,
a. to keep for future consideration or action; postpone.
b. to remain in possession or in office beyond the regular term.
c. to remain beyond the arranged period: The movie was held over for a week.
d. Music. to prolong (a tone) from one measure to the next.
50. hold up,
a. to offer; give: She held up his father as an example to follow.
b. to present to notice; expose: to hold someone up to ridicule.
c. to hinder; delay: The plane's departure was held up because of the storm.
d. to stop by force in order to rob.
e. to support; uphold: to hold up farm prices.
f. to stop; halt: They held up at the gate.
g. to maintain one's position or condition; endure: They held up through all their troubles.
51. hold with,
a. to be in agreement with; concur with: I don't hold with his pessimistic views.
b. to approve of; condone: They won't hold with such a travesty of justice.
—Idioms
52. get hold of,
a. to get a hold on: Get hold of the railing.
b. to communicate with, esp. by telephone: If she's not at home, try to get hold of her at the office.
53. hold one's own. own (def. 9).
54. hold one's peace. peace (def. 14).
55. hold one's tongue. tongue (def. 33).
56. hold water. water (def. 36).
57. no holds barred, without limits, rules, or restraints.
58. on hold,
a. in or into a state of temporary interruption or suspension: The project will be put on hold until funds become available.
b. Telecommunications. in or into a state of temporary interruption in a telephone connection: I'm putting you on hold to answer another call. Compare call waiting.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME holden, OE h(e)aldan; c. OFris, ON halda, OS, Goth haldan, OHG haltan (G halten)

Related forms:
hold⋅a⋅ble, adjective

Synonyms:
8. possess, own. See have. 9. See contain. 11. embrace, espouse, have. See maintain. 12. deem, esteem, judge. 19. persist, last, endure. 20. stick.

hold

2  [hohld]
–noun
1. Nautical.
a. the entire cargo space in the hull of a vessel.
b. the cargo space in the hull of a vessel between the lowermost deck and the bottom.
c. any individual compartment of such cargo spaces, closed by bulkheads and having its own hatchway.
2. Aviation. the cargo compartment of an aircraft.
Origin:
1585–95; var. of hole; c. D hol hole, hold
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To hold
hold 1   (hōld)   
v.   held (hěld), hold·ing, holds

v.   tr.
    1. To have and keep in one's grasp: held the reins tightly.
    2. To aim or direct; point: held a hose on the fire.
    3. To keep from falling or moving; support: a nail too small to hold the mirror; hold the horse steady; papers that were held together with staples.
    4. To sustain the pressure of: The old bridge can't hold much weight.
    5. To keep from departing or getting away: Hold the bus! Hold the dog until I find the leash.
    6. To keep in custody: held the suspect for questioning.
    7. To retain (one's attention or interest): Televised sports can't hold my interest.
    8. To avoid letting out or expelling: The swimmer held her breath while underwater.
    9. To be filled by; contain.
    10. To be capable of holding. See Synonyms at contain.
    11. To have as a chief characteristic or quality: The film holds many surprises.
    12. To have in store: Let's see what the future holds.
    13. To have and maintain in one's possession: holds a great deal of property.
    14. To have as a responsible position or a privilege: held the governorship for six years.
    15. To have in recognition of achievement or superiority: holds the record for the one-mile race; holds the respect of her peers.
    16. To maintain control over: Thieves held the stolen painting for ransom.
    17. To maintain occupation of by force or coercion: Protesters held the embassy for a week.
    18. To withstand the efforts or advance of (an opposing team, for example).
    19. To maintain in a given condition, situation, or action: The storyteller held the crowd spellbound.
    20. To impose control or restraint on; curb: She held her temper.
    21. To stop the movement or progress of: Hold the presses!
    22. To reserve or keep back from use: Please hold two tickets for us. Hold the relish on that hamburger.
    23. To defer the immediate handling of: The receptionist held all calls during the meeting.
    24. To be the legal possessor of.
    25. To bind by a contract.
    26. To adjudge or decree: The court held that the defendant was at fault.
    27. To make accountable; obligate: He held me to my promise.
    28. To keep in the mind or convey as a judgment, conviction, or point of view: holds that this economic program is the only answer to high prices.
    29. To assert or affirm, especially formally: This doctrine holds that people are inherently good.
    30. To regard in a certain way: I hold you in high esteem.
    31. To cause to take place; carry on: held the race in Texas; hold a yard sale.
    32. To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene: held a meeting of the board.
    33. To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position: Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.
    34. To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection: held my nose against the stench.
    1. To keep from departing or getting away: Hold the bus! Hold the dog until I find the leash.
    2. To keep in custody: held the suspect for questioning.
    3. To retain (one's attention or interest): Televised sports can't hold my interest.
    4. To avoid letting out or expelling: The swimmer held her breath while underwater.
    5. To be filled by; contain.
    6. To be capable of holding. See Synonyms at contain.
    7. To have as a chief characteristic or quality: The film holds many surprises.
    8. To have in store: Let's see what the future holds.
    9. To have and maintain in one's possession: holds a great deal of property.
    10. To have as a responsible position or a privilege: held the governorship for six years.
    11. To have in recognition of achievement or superiority: holds the record for the one-mile race; holds the respect of her peers.
    12. To maintain control over: Thieves held the stolen painting for ransom.
    13. To maintain occupation of by force or coercion: Protesters held the embassy for a week.
    14. To withstand the efforts or advance of (an opposing team, for example).
    15. To maintain in a given condition, situation, or action: The storyteller held the crowd spellbound.
    16. To impose control or restraint on; curb: She held her temper.
    17. To stop the movement or progress of: Hold the presses!
    18. To reserve or keep back from use: Please hold two tickets for us. Hold the relish on that hamburger.
    19. To defer the immediate handling of: The receptionist held all calls during the meeting.
    20. To be the legal possessor of.
    21. To bind by a contract.
    22. To adjudge or decree: The court held that the defendant was at fault.
    23. To make accountable; obligate: He held me to my promise.
    24. To keep in the mind or convey as a judgment, conviction, or point of view: holds that this economic program is the only answer to high prices.
    25. To assert or affirm, especially formally: This doctrine holds that people are inherently good.
    26. To regard in a certain way: I hold you in high esteem.
    27. To cause to take place; carry on: held the race in Texas; hold a yard sale.
    28. To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene: held a meeting of the board.
    29. To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position: Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.
    30. To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection: held my nose against the stench.
    1. To be filled by; contain.
    2. To be capable of holding. See Synonyms at contain.
    3. To have as a chief characteristic or quality: The film holds many surprises.
    4. To have in store: Let's see what the future holds.
    5. To have and maintain in one's possession: holds a great deal of property.
    6. To have as a responsible position or a privilege: held the governorship for six years.
    7. To have in recognition of achievement or superiority: holds the record for the one-mile race; holds the respect of her peers.
    8. To maintain control over: Thieves held the stolen painting for ransom.
    9. To maintain occupation of by force or coercion: Protesters held the embassy for a week.
    10. To withstand the efforts or advance of (an opposing team, for example).
    11. To maintain in a given condition, situation, or action: The storyteller held the crowd spellbound.
    12. To impose control or restraint on; curb: She held her temper.
    13. To stop the movement or progress of: Hold the presses!
    14. To reserve or keep back from use: Please hold two tickets for us. Hold the relish on that hamburger.
    15. To defer the immediate handling of: The receptionist held all calls during the meeting.
    16. To be the legal possessor of.
    17. To bind by a contract.
    18. To adjudge or decree: The court held that the defendant was at fault.
    19. To make accountable; obligate: He held me to my promise.
    20. To keep in the mind or convey as a judgment, conviction, or point of view: holds that this economic program is the only answer to high prices.
    21. To assert or affirm, especially formally: This doctrine holds that people are inherently good.
    22. To regard in a certain way: I hold you in high esteem.
    23. To cause to take place; carry on: held the race in Texas; hold a yard sale.
    24. To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene: held a meeting of the board.
    25. To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position: Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.
    26. To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection: held my nose against the stench.
    1. To have and maintain in one's possession: holds a great deal of property.
    2. To have as a responsible position or a privilege: held the governorship for six years.
    3. To have in recognition of achievement or superiority: holds the record for the one-mile race; holds the respect of her peers.
    4. To maintain control over: Thieves held the stolen painting for ransom.
    5. To maintain occupation of by force or coercion: Protesters held the embassy for a week.
    6. To withstand the efforts or advance of (an opposing team, for example).
    7. To maintain in a given condition, situation, or action: The storyteller held the crowd spellbound.
    8. To impose control or restraint on; curb: She held her temper.
    9. To stop the movement or progress of: Hold the presses!
    10. To reserve or keep back from use: Please hold two tickets for us. Hold the relish on that hamburger.
    11. To defer the immediate handling of: The receptionist held all calls during the meeting.
    12. To be the legal possessor of.
    13. To bind by a contract.
    14. To adjudge or decree: The court held that the defendant was at fault.
    15. To make accountable; obligate: He held me to my promise.
    16. To keep in the mind or convey as a judgment, conviction, or point of view: holds that this economic program is the only answer to high prices.
    17. To assert or affirm, especially formally: This doctrine holds that people are inherently good.
    18. To regard in a certain way: I hold you in high esteem.
    19. To cause to take place; carry on: held the race in Texas; hold a yard sale.
    20. To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene: held a meeting of the board.
    21. To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position: Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.
    22. To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection: held my nose against the stench.
    1. To maintain control over: Thieves held the stolen painting for ransom.
    2. To maintain occupation of by force or coercion: Protesters held the embassy for a week.
    3. To withstand the efforts or advance of (an opposing team, for example).
    4. To maintain in a given condition, situation, or action: The storyteller held the crowd spellbound.
    5. To impose control or restraint on; curb: She held her temper.
    6. To stop the movement or progress of: Hold the presses!
    7. To reserve or keep back from use: Please hold two tickets for us. Hold the relish on that hamburger.
    8. To defer the immediate handling of: The receptionist held all calls during the meeting.
    9. To be the legal possessor of.
    10. To bind by a contract.
    11. To adjudge or decree: The court held that the defendant was at fault.
    12. To make accountable; obligate: He held me to my promise.
    13. To keep in the mind or convey as a judgment, conviction, or point of view: holds that this economic program is the only answer to high prices.
    14. To assert or affirm, especially formally: This doctrine holds that people are inherently good.
    15. To regard in a certain way: I hold you in high esteem.
    16. To cause to take place; carry on: held the race in Texas; hold a yard sale.
    17. To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene: held a meeting of the board.
    18. To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position: Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.
    19. To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection: held my nose against the stench.
    1. To impose control or restraint on; curb: She held her temper.
    2. To stop the movement or progress of: Hold the presses!
    3. To reserve or keep back from use: Please hold two tickets for us. Hold the relish on that hamburger.
    4. To defer the immediate handling of: The receptionist held all calls during the meeting.
    5. To be the legal possessor of.
    6. To bind by a contract.
    7. To adjudge or decree: The court held that the defendant was at fault.
    8. To make accountable; obligate: He held me to my promise.
    9. To keep in the mind or convey as a judgment, conviction, or point of view: holds that this economic program is the only answer to high prices.
    10. To assert or affirm, especially formally: This doctrine holds that people are inherently good.
    11. To regard in a certain way: I hold you in high esteem.
    12. To cause to take place; carry on: held the race in Texas; hold a yard sale.
    13. To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene: held a meeting of the board.
    14. To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position: Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.
    15. To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection: held my nose against the stench.
    1. To be the legal possessor of.
    2. To bind by a contract.
    3. To adjudge or decree: The court held that the defendant was at fault.
    4. To make accountable; obligate: He held me to my promise.
    5. To keep in the mind or convey as a judgment, conviction, or point of view: holds that this economic program is the only answer to high prices.
    6. To assert or affirm, especially formally: This doctrine holds that people are inherently good.
    7. To regard in a certain way: I hold you in high esteem.
    8. To cause to take place; carry on: held the race in Texas; hold a yard sale.
    9. To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene: held a meeting of the board.
    10. To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position: Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.
    11. To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection: held my nose against the stench.
    1. To keep in the mind or convey as a judgment, conviction, or point of view: holds that this economic program is the only answer to high prices.
    2. To assert or affirm, especially formally: This doctrine holds that people are inherently good.
    3. To regard in a certain way: I hold you in high esteem.
    4. To cause to take place; carry on: held the race in Texas; hold a yard sale.
    5. To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene: held a meeting of the board.
    6. To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position: Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.
    7. To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection: held my nose against the stench.
    1. To cause to take place; carry on: held the race in Texas; hold a yard sale.
    2. To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene: held a meeting of the board.
    3. To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position: Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.
    4. To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection: held my nose against the stench.
    1. To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position: Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.
    2. To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection: held my nose against the stench.
v.   intr.
    1. To maintain a grasp or grip on something.
    2. To stay securely fastened: The chain held.
    3. To maintain a desired or accustomed position or condition: hopes the weather will hold.
    4. To withstand stress, pressure, or opposition: The defense held. We held firm on the negotiations.
    1. To maintain a desired or accustomed position or condition: hopes the weather will hold.
    2. To withstand stress, pressure, or opposition: The defense held. We held firm on the negotiations.
  3. To continue in the same direction: The ship held to an easterly course.
  4. To be valid, applicable, or true: The observation still holds in cases like this.
  5. To have legal right or title. Often used with of or from.
  6. To halt an intended action. Often used in the imperative.
  7. To stop the countdown during a missile or spacecraft launch.
  8. Slang To have in one's possession illicit or illegally obtained material or goods, especially narcotics: The suspect was holding.
n.  
    1. The act or a means of grasping.
    2. A manner of grasping an opponent, as in wrestling or aikido: a neck hold; an arm hold.
    3. A bond or force that attaches or restrains, or by which something is affected or dominated: a writer with a strong hold on her readership.
    4. Complete control: has a firm hold on the complex issues.
    5. Full understanding: has a good hold on physics.
    6. The sustaining of a note longer than its indicated time value.
    7. The symbol designating this pause; a fermata.
    8. A direction or indication that something is to be reserved or deferred.
    9. A temporary halt, as in a countdown.
    10. A prison cell.
    11. The state of being in confinement; custody.
    12. To postpone or delay.
    13. To keep in a position or state from an earlier period of time.
  2. Something that may be grasped or gripped, as for support.
  3. A control or adjustor on a television that keeps the screen image in proper position: adjusted the horizontal hold.
  4. A telephone service that allows one to temporarily interrupt a call without severing the connection.
    1. A bond or force that attaches or restrains, or by which something is affected or dominated: a writer with a strong hold on her readership.
    2. Complete control: has a firm hold on the complex issues.
    3. Full understanding: has a good hold on physics.
    4. The sustaining of a note longer than its indicated time value.
    5. The symbol designating this pause; a fermata.
    6. A direction or indication that something is to be reserved or deferred.
    7. A temporary halt, as in a countdown.
    8. A prison cell.
    9. The state of being in confinement; custody.
    10. To postpone or delay.
    11. To keep in a position or state from an earlier period of time.
  6. Music
    1. The sustaining of a note longer than its indicated time value.
    2. The symbol designating this pause; a fermata.
    3. A direction or indication that something is to be reserved or deferred.
    4. A temporary halt, as in a countdown.
    5. A prison cell.
    6. The state of being in confinement; custody.
    7. To postpone or delay.
    8. To keep in a position or state from an earlier period of time.
    1. A direction or indication that something is to be reserved or deferred.
    2. A temporary halt, as in a countdown.
    3. A prison cell.
    4. The state of being in confinement; custody.
    5. To postpone or delay.
    6. To keep in a position or state from an earlier period of time.
    1. A prison cell.
    2. The state of being in confinement; custody.
    3. To postpone or delay.
    4. To keep in a position or state from an earlier period of time.
  9. Archaic A fortified place; a stronghold.
  10. To retain in one's possession or control: held back valuable information; held back my tears.
  11. To impede the progress of.
  12. To restrain oneself.
  13. To limit: Please hold the noise down.
  14. To fulfill the duties of (a job): holds down two jobs.
  15. To keep at a distance; resist: held the creditors off.
  16. To stop or delay doing something: Let's hold off until we have more data.
  17. To maintain one's grip; cling.
  18. To continue to do something; persist.
  19. To wait for something wanted or requested, especially to keep a telephone connection open.
  20. To present or proffer as something attainable.
  21. To continue to be in supply or service; last: Our food is holding out nicely.
  22. To continue to resist: The defending garrison held out for a month.
  23. To refuse to reach or satisfy an agreement.
    1. To postpone or delay.
    2. To keep in a position or state from an earlier period of time.
  25. To continue a term of office past the usual length of time.
  26. To prolong the engagement of: The film was held over for weeks.
  27. To obstruct or delay.
  28. To rob while armed, often at gunpoint.
  29. To offer or present as an example: held the essay up as a model for the students.
  30. To continue to function without losing force or effectiveness; cope: managed to hold up under the stress.
Phrasal Verb(s):
hold back
  1. To retain in one's possession or control: held back valuable information; held back my tears.
  2. To impede the progress of.
  3. To restrain oneself.
hold down
  1. To limit: Please hold the noise down.
  2. To fulfill the duties of (a job): holds down two jobs.
hold forthTo talk at great length.
hold off
  1. To keep at a distance; resist: held the creditors off.
  2. To stop or delay doing something: Let's hold off until we have more data.
hold on
  1. To maintain one's grip; cling.
  2. To continue to do something; persist.
  3. To wait for something wanted or requested, especially to keep a telephone connection open.
hold out
  1. To present or proffer as something attainable.
  2. To continue to be in supply or service; last: Our food is holding out nicely.
  3. To continue to resist: The defending garrison held out for a month.
  4. To refuse to reach or satisfy an agreement.
hold over
    1. To postpone or delay.
    2. To keep in a position or state from an earlier period of time.
  2. To continue a term of office past the usual length of time.
  3. To prolong the engagement of: The film was held over for weeks.
hold toTo remain loyal or faithful to: She held to her resolutions.
hold up
  1. To obstruct or delay.
  2. To rob while armed, often at gunpoint.
  3. To offer or present as an example: held the essay up as a model for the students.
  4. To continue to function without losing force or effectiveness; cope: managed to hold up under the stress.
hold withTo agree with; support: I don't hold with your theories.

Idiom(s):
get hold of
  1. To come into possession of; find: Where can I get hold of a copy?
  2. To communicate with, as by telephone: tried to get hold of you but the line was busy.
  3. To gain control of. Often used reflexively: You must get hold of yourself!

Idiom(s):
hold a candle toTo compare favorably with: This film doesn't hold a candle to his previous ones.

Idiom(s):
hold (one's) end upTo fulfill one's part of an agreement; do one's share.

Idiom(s):
hold (one's) ownTo do reasonably well despite difficulty or criticism.

Idiom(s):
hold out on (someone)To withhold something from: Don't hold out on me; start telling the truth.

Idiom(s):
hold (someone's) feet to the fireTo pressure (someone) to consent to or undertake something.

Idiom(s):
hold swayTo have a controlling influence; dominate.

Idiom(s):
hold the bag Informal
  1. To be left with empty hands.
  2. To be forced to assume total responsibility when it ought to have been shared.

Idiom(s):
hold the fort Informal
  1. To assume responsibility, especially in another's absence.
  2. To maintain a secure position.

Idiom(s):
hold the lineTo maintain the existing position or state of affairs: had to hold the line on salary increases.

Idiom(s):
hold the phone Slang To stop doing what one is engaged in doing. Often used in the imperative: Hold the phone! Let's end this argument.

Idiom(s):
hold waterTo stand up to critical examination: Your explanation doesn't hold water.

Idiom(s):
no holds barredWithout limits or restraints.

Idiom(s):
on hold
  1. Into a state of temporary interruption without severing a telephone connection: put me on hold for 10 minutes.
  2. Informal Into a state of delay or indeterminate suspension: had to put the romance on hold.

[Middle English holden, from Old English healdan.]
hold 2   (hōld)   
n.  The lower interior part of a ship or airplane where cargo is stored.

[Alteration (influenced by hold1) of Middle English hole, husk, hull of a ship, from Old English hulu; see kel-1 in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Hold

Hold\, n. [D. hol hole, hollow. See Hole.] (Naut.) The whole interior portion of a vessel below the lower deck, in which the cargo is stowed.

Hold

Hold\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Held; p. pr. & vb. n. Holding. Holden, p. p., is obs. in elegant writing, though still used in legal language.] [OE. haldan, D. houden, OHG. hoten, Icel. halda, Dan. holde, Sw. h[*a]lla, Goth. haldan to feed, tend (the cattle); of unknown origin. Gf. Avast, Halt, Hod.]

1. To cause to remain in a given situation, position, or relation, within certain limits, or the like; to prevent from falling or escaping; to sustain; to restrain; to keep in the grasp; to retain.

The loops held one curtain to another. --Ex. xxxvi. 12.

Thy right hand shall hold me. --Ps. cxxxix. 10.

They all hold swords, being expert in war. --Cant. iii. 8.

In vain he seeks, that having can not hold. --Spenser.

France, thou mayst hold a serpent by the tongue, . . . A fasting tiger safer by the tooth, Than keep in peace that hand which thou dost hold. --Shak.

2. To retain in one's keeping; to maintain possession of, or authority over; not to give up or relinquish; to keep; to defend.

We mean to hold what anciently we claim Of deity or empire. --Milton.

3. To have; to possess; to be in possession of; to occupy; to derive title to; as, to hold office.

This noble merchant held a noble house. --Chaucer.

Of him to hold his seigniory for a yearly tribute. --Knolles.

And now the strand, and now the plain, they held. --Dryden.

4. To impose restraint upon; to limit in motion or action; to bind legally or morally; to confine; to restrain.

We can not hold mortality's strong hand. --Shak.

Death! what do'st? O,hold thy blow. --Grashaw.

He hat not sufficient judgment and self-command to hold his tongue. --Macaulay.

5. To maintain in being or action; to carry on; to prosecute, as a course of conduct or an argument; to continue; to sustain.

Hold not thy peace, and be not still. --Ps. lxxxiii. 1.

Seedtime and harvest, heat and hoary frost, Shall hold their course. --Milton.

6. To prosecute, have, take, or join in, as something which is the result of united action; as to, hold a meeting, a festival, a session, etc.; hence, to direct and bring about officially; to conduct or preside at; as, the general held a council of war; a judge holds a court; a clergyman holds a service.

I would hold more talk with thee. --Shak.

7. To receive and retain; to contain as a vessel; as, this pail holds milk; hence, to be able to receive and retain; to have capacity or containing power for.

Broken cisterns that can hold no water. --Jer. ii. 13.

One sees more devils than vast hell can hold. --Shak.

8. To accept, as an opinion; to be the adherent of, openly or privately; to persist in, as a purpose; to maintain; to sustain.

Stand fast and hold the traditions which ye have been taught. --2 Thes. ii.15.

But still he held his purpose to depart. --Dryden.

9. To consider; to regard; to esteem; to account; to think; to judge.

I hold him but a fool. --Shak.

I shall never hold that man my friend. --Shak.

The Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. --Ex. xx. 7.

10. To bear, carry, or manage; as he holds himself erect; he holds his head high.

Let him hold his fingers thus. --Shak.

To hold a wager, to lay or hazard a wager. --Swift.

To hold forth, to offer; to exhibit; to propose; to put forward. "The propositions which books hold forth and pretend to teach." --Locke.

To held in, to restrain; to curd.

To hold in hand, to toy with; to keep in expectation; to have in one's power. [Obs.]

O, fie! to receive favors, return falsehoods, And hold a lady in hand. --Beaw. & Fl.

To hold in play, to keep under control; to dally with. --Macaulay.

To hold off, to keep at a distance.

To hold on, to hold in being, continuance or position; as, to hold a rider on.

To hold one's day, to keep one's appointment. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

To hold one's own.

(a) To keep good one's present condition absolutely or relatively; not to fall off, or to lose ground; as, a ship holds her own when she does not lose ground in a race or chase; a man holds his own when he does not lose strength or weight.

To hold one's peace, to keep silence.

To hold out. (a) To extend; to offer. "Fortune holds out these to you as rewards." --B. Jonson. (b) To continue to do or to suffer; to endure. "He can not long hold out these pangs." --Shak.

To hold up. (a) To raise; to lift; as, hold up your head. (b) To support; to sustain. "He holds himself up in virtue."--Sir P. Sidney. (c) To exhibit; to display; as, he was held up as an example. (d) To rein in; to check; to halt; as, hold up your horses.

To hold water. (a) Literally, to retain water without leaking; hence (Fig.), to be whole, sound, consistent, without gaps or holes; -- commonly used in a negative sense; as, his statements will not hold water. [Collog.] (b) (Naut.) To hold the oars steady in the water, thus checking the headway of a boat.

Hold

Hold\, n. i. In general, to keep one's self in a given position or condition; to remain fixed. Hence:

1. Not to more; to halt; to stop;-mostly in the imperative.

And damned be him that first cries, "Hold, enough!" --Shak.

2. Not to give way; not to part or become separated; to remain unbroken or unsubdued.

Our force by land hath nobly held. --Shak.

3. Not to fail or be found wanting; to continue; to last; to endure a test or trial; to abide; to persist.

While our obedience holds. --Milton.

The rule holds in land as all other commodities. --Locke.

4. Not to fall away, desert, or prove recreant; to remain attached; to cleave;-often with with, to, or for.

He will hold to the one and despise the other. --Matt. vi. 24

5. To restrain one's self; to refrain.

His dauntless heart would fain have held From weeping, but his eyes rebelled. --Dryden.

6. To derive right or title; -- generally with of.

My crown is absolute, and holds of none. --Dryden.

His imagination holds immediately from nature. --Hazlitt.

Hold on! Hold up! wait; stop; forbear. [Collog] -- To hold forth, to speak in public; to harangue; to preach. --L'Estrange.

To hold in, to restrain one's self; as, he wanted to laugh and could hardly hold in.

To hold off, to keep at a distance.

To hold on, to keep fast hold; to continue; to go on. "The trade held on for many years," --Swift.

To hold out, to last; to endure; to continue; to maintain one's self; not to yield or give way.

To hold over, to remain in office, possession, etc., beyond a certain date.

To hold to or with, to take sides with, as a person or opinion.

To hold together, to be joined; not to separate; to remain in union. --Dryden. --Locke.

To hold up. (a) To support one's self; to remain unbent or unbroken; as, to hold up under misfortunes. (b) To cease raining; to cease to stop; as, it holds up. --Hudibras. (c) To keep up; not to fall behind; not to lose ground. --Collier.

Hold

Hold\, n. 1. The act of holding, as in or with the hands or arms; the manner of holding, whether firm or loose; seizure; grasp; clasp; gripe; possession; -- often used with the verbs take and lay.

Ne have I not twelve pence within mine hold. --Chaucer.

Thou should'st lay hold upon him. --B. Jonson.

My soul took hold on thee. --Addison.

Take fast hold of instruction. --Pror. iv. 13.

2. The authority or ground to take or keep; claim.

The law hath yet another hold on you. --Shak.

3. Binding power and influence.

Fear . . . by which God and his laws take the surest hold of. --Tillotson.

4. Something that may be grasped; means of support.

If a man be upon an high place without rails or good hold, he is ready to fall. --Bacon.

5. A place of confinement; a prison; confinement; custody; guard.

They . . . put them in hold unto the next day. --Acts. iv. 3.

King Richard, he is in the mighty hold Of Bolingbroke. --Shak.

6. A place of security; a fortified place; a fort; a castle; -- often called a stronghold. --Chaucer.

New comers in an ancient hold --Tennyson.

7. (Mus.) A character [thus ?] placed over or under a note or rest, and indicating that it is to be prolonged; -- called also pause, and corona.

Hold

Hold\, v. t.

To hold up. To stop in order to rob, often with the demand to hold up the hands. [Colloq.] Hole \Hole\, n. (Games) (a) A small cavity used in some games, usually one into which a marble or ball is to be played or driven; hence, a score made by playing a marble or ball into such a hole, as in golf. (b) (Fives) At Eton College, England, that part of the floor of the court between the step and the pepperbox.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : hold
Spanish: tener en las manos, agarrar, asir,
German: halten,
Japanese: 持っている
More Translations »

hold  (v.)
O.E. haldan (Anglian), healdan (W.Saxon), class VII strong verb (past tense heold, pp. healden), from P.Gmc. *khaldanan (cf. O.N. halda, Du. houden, Ger. halten "to hold," Goth. haldan "to tend"), originally "to keep, tend, watch over" (as cattle), later "to have." Ancestral sense is preserved in behold. Holdup, in sense of "a stoppage," is 1837 in Amer.Eng.; sense of "stopping by force and robbing" is 1851, also in Amer.Eng., probably strengthened by notion of "holding up hands." To hold (one's) own is from c.1330. No holds barred "with all restrictions removed" is first recorded 1942 in theater jargon but is ultimately from wrestling. Phrase hold your horses "be patient" is from 1844. Hold out (v.) is from 1907. The original pp. holden was replaced by held beginning 16c., but survives in some legal jargon and in beholden.

hold  (n.)
"space in a ship below the lower deck, in which cargo is stowed," 15c. corruption (infl. by hold (v.)) of O.E. hol "hole," infl. by M.Du. hol "hold of a ship," and M.E. hul, which originally meant both "the hold" and "the hull" of a ship (see hull).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Hold

An analyst recommendation to neither buy nor sell a security.

Investopedia Commentary

Exact definitions vary by brokerage, but generally this rating is better than sell and worse than buy. The hold rating is right in the middle of the rating system. It means that if you own a security you still shouldn't sell, but you also shouldn't buy the security if you don't own it already.

Also known as neutral.

Related Links

Analyst Recommendations: Do Sell Ratings Exist?
Why There Are Few Sell Ratings On Wall Street

See also: Buy, Downgrade, Outperform, Sell, Underperform, Upgrade

Investopedia.com. Copyright © 1999-2005 - All rights reserved. Owned and Operated by Investopedia Inc.
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Main Entry: hold
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: held; hold·ing
1 a : to have lawful possession or ownership of <held the property as tenants in common> holds the title to the car> b : to have as a privilege or position of responsibility <holding a retail liquor license> hold their offices during good behavior —U.S. Constitution article III>
2 : to restrain the liberty of; specifically : to keep in custody held without bail>
3 : to cause to be conducted hold a hearing on the matter>
4 : to rule as the holding of a case held that such conduct violated the statute> —compare DECIDE, FIND
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Hold

a fortress, the name given to David's lurking-places (1 Sam. 22:4, 5; 24:22).

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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hold

In addition to the idioms beginning with hold, also see (hold) at bay; bear (hold) a grudge; get hold of; hang (hold) on to your hat; have a hold over; lay hold of; leave holding the bag; no holds barred; on hold; (hold the) purse strings; stand (hold) one's ground; take hold.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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