Hold - Definition

n 1: 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" [syn: clasp, clench, clutch, clutches,
grasp, grip, hold]
2: understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or
magnitude of something; "he has a good grasp of accounting
practices" [syn: appreciation, grasp, hold]
3: power by which something or someone is affected or dominated;
"he has a hold over them"
4: time during which some action is awaited; "instant replay
caused too long a delay"; "he ordered a hold in the action"
[syn: delay, hold, time lag, postponement, wait]
5: 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" [syn: detention,
detainment, hold, custody]
6: a stronghold
7: a cell in a jail or prison [syn: hold, keep]
8: 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" [syn: handle, grip, handgrip, hold]
9: the space in a ship or aircraft for storing cargo [syn:
cargo area, cargo deck, cargo hold, hold, storage
area]
v 1: 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" [syn: keep,
maintain, hold]
2: have or hold in one's hands or grip; "Hold this bowl for a
moment, please"; "A crazy idea took hold of him" [syn:
hold, take hold] [ant: let go, let go of, release,
relinquish]
3: organize or be responsible for; "hold a reception"; "have,
throw, or make a party"; "give a course" [syn: hold,
throw, have, make, give]
4: 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" [syn:
have, have got, hold]
5: 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" [syn: deem,
hold, view as, take for]
6: maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings); "bear a grudge";
"entertain interesting notions"; "harbor a resentment" [syn:
harbor, harbour, hold, entertain, nurse]
7: 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"
[syn: restrain, confine, hold]
8: secure and keep for possible future use or application; "The
landlord retained the security deposit"; "I reserve the right
to disagree" [syn: retain, hold, keep back, hold
back]
9: have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices; "She bears
the title of Duchess"; "He held the governorship for almost a
decade" [syn: bear, hold]
10: 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?" [syn:
hold, support, sustain, hold up]
11: contain or hold; have within; "The jar carries wine"; "The
canteen holds fresh water"; "This can contains water" [syn:
hold, bear, carry, contain]
12: 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" [syn:
accommodate, hold, admit]
13: remain in a certain state, position, or condition; "The
weather held"; "They held on the road and kept marching"
14: support or hold in a certain manner; "She holds her head
high"; "He carried himself upright" [syn: hold, carry,
bear]
15: be valid, applicable, or true; "This theory still holds"
[syn: prevail, hold, obtain]
16: assert or affirm; "Rousseau's philosophy holds that people
are inherently good"
17: have as a major characteristic; "The novel holds many
surprises"; "The book holds in store much valuable advise"
18: be capable of holding or containing; "This box won't take
all the items"; "The flask holds one gallon" [syn:
contain, take, hold]
19: 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" [syn: reserve, hold, book]
20: protect against a challenge or attack; "Hold that position
behind the trees!"; "Hold the bridge against the enemy's
attacks" [syn: defend, guard, hold]
21: bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted; "He's held by a
contract"; "I'll hold you by your promise" [syn: oblige,
bind, hold, obligate]
22: hold the attention of; "The soprano held the audience";
"This story held our interest"; "She can hold an audience
spellbound"
23: remain committed to; "I hold to these ideas"
24: resist or confront with resistance; "The politician defied
public opinion"; "The new material withstands even the
greatest wear and tear"; "The bridge held" [syn: defy,
withstand, hold, hold up]
25: 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" [syn: apply, hold, go
for]
26: stop dealing with; "hold all calls to the President's office
while he is in a meeting"
27: 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" [syn:
control, hold in, hold, contain, check, curb,
moderate]
28: keep from departing; "Hold the taxi"; "Hold the horse"
29: take and maintain control over, often by violent means; "The
dissatisfied students held the President's office for almost
a week"
30: cause to stop; "Halt the engines"; "Arrest the progress";
"halt the presses" [syn: halt, hold, arrest]
31: cover as for protection against noise or smell; "She held
her ears when the jackhammer started to operate"; "hold
one's nose"
32: drink alcohol without showing ill effects; "He can hold his
liquor"; "he had drunk more than he could carry" [syn:
carry, hold]
33: aim, point, or direct; "Hold the fire extinguisher directly
on the flames"
34: declare to be; "She was declared incompetent"; "judge held
that the defendant was innocent" [syn: declare, adjudge,
hold]
35: 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" [syn: agree, hold, concur, concord]
[ant: differ, disagree, dissent, take issue]
36: keep from exhaling or expelling; "hold your breath"