Definition of hold

noun (n)

• the act of grasping (noun.act)

  Synonym: clasp, clench, clutch, clutches, grasp, grip
  

  Example:
  She kept a firm hold on the railing.
  

  source: wordnet30
• understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something (noun.cognition)

  Synonym: appreciation, grasp
  

  source: wordnet30
• power by which something or someone is affected or dominated (noun.attribute)

  Example:
  He has a hold over them.
  

  source: wordnet30
• time during which some action is awaited (noun.time)

  Synonym: delay, postponement, time lag, wait
  

  Example:
  He ordered a hold in the action.
  

  source: wordnet30
• a state of being confined (usually for a short time) (noun.state)

  Synonym: custody, detainment, detention
  

  Example:
  The prisoner is on hold.
  

  source: wordnet30
• a stronghold (noun.artifact)

  source: wordnet30
• a cell in a jail or prison (noun.artifact)

  Synonym: keep
  

  source: wordnet30
• the appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it (noun.artifact)

  Synonym: grip, handgrip, handle
  

  source: wordnet30
• the space in a ship or aircraft for storing cargo (noun.artifact)

  Synonym: cargo area, cargo deck, cargo hold, storage area
  

  source: wordnet30
• The whole interior portion of a vessel below the lower deck, in which the cargo is stowed. (noun)

  source: webster1913
• 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. (noun)

  source: webster1913

verb (v)

• keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., (verb.stative)

  Synonym: keep, maintain
  

  Example:
  Hold in place.
  

  source: wordnet30
• have or hold in one's hands or grip (verb.contact)

  Synonym: take hold
  Antonym: let go, let go of, release, relinquish
  

  Example:
  Hold this bowl for a moment, please.
  A crazy idea took hold of him.
  

  source: wordnet30
• organize or be responsible for (verb.creation)

  Synonym: give, have, make, throw
  

  Example:
  Hold a reception.
  

  source: wordnet30
• have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense (verb.possession)

  Synonym: have, have got
  

  Example:
  She holds a Master's degree from Harvard.
  

  source: wordnet30
• keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view (verb.cognition)

  Synonym: deem, take for, view as
  

  Example:
  Hold these truths to be self-evident.
  I hold him personally responsible.
  

  source: wordnet30
• maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings) (verb.emotion)

  Synonym: entertain, harbor, harbour, nurse
  

  source: wordnet30
• to close within bounds, limit or hold back from movement (verb.contact)

  Synonym: confine, restrain
  

  Example:
  This holds the local until the express passengers change trains.
  

  source: wordnet30
• secure and keep for possible future use or application (verb.possession)

  Synonym: hold back, keep back, retain
  

  source: wordnet30
• have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices (verb.possession)

  Synonym: bear
  

  source: wordnet30
• be the physical support of; carry the weight of (verb.contact)

  Synonym: hold up, support, sustain
  

  Example:
  The beam holds up the roof.
  What's holding that mirror?.
  

  source: wordnet30
• contain or hold; have within (verb.stative)

  Synonym: bear, carry, contain
  

  Example:
  The canteen holds fresh water.
  

  source: wordnet30
• have room for; hold without crowding (verb.stative)

  Synonym: accommodate, admit
  

  Example:
  The auditorium can't hold more than 500 people.
  

  source: wordnet30
• remain in a certain state, position, or condition (verb.stative)

  source: wordnet30
• support or hold in a certain manner (verb.contact)

  Synonym: bear, carry
  

  Example:
  She holds her head high.
  

  source: wordnet30
• be valid, applicable, or true (verb.stative)

  Synonym: obtain, prevail
  

  Example:
  This theory still holds.
  

  source: wordnet30
• assert or affirm (verb.cognition)

  Example:
  Rousseau's philosophy holds that people are inherently good.
  

  source: wordnet30
• have as a major characteristic (verb.stative)

  Example:
  The novel holds many surprises.
  The book holds in store much valuable advise.
  

  source: wordnet30
• be capable of holding or containing (verb.stative)

  Synonym: contain, take
  

  Example:
  The flask holds one gallon.
  

  source: wordnet30
• arrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in advance (verb.social)

  Synonym: book, reserve
  

  Example:
  Please hold a table at Maxim's.
  

  source: wordnet30
• protect against a challenge or attack (verb.competition)

  Synonym: defend, guard
  

  Example:
  Hold that position behind the trees!.
  Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks.
  

  source: wordnet30
• bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted (verb.communication)

  Synonym: bind, obligate, oblige
  

  Example:
  I'll hold you by your promise.
  

  source: wordnet30
• hold the attention of (verb.cognition)

  Example:
  She can hold an audience spellbound.
  

  source: wordnet30
• remain committed to (verb.cognition)

  Example:
  I hold to these ideas.
  

  source: wordnet30
• resist or confront with resistance (verb.stative)

  Synonym: defy, hold up, withstand
  

  source: wordnet30
• be pertinent or relevant or applicable (verb.stative)

  Synonym: apply, go for
  

  Example:
  This theory holds for all irrational numbers.
  

  source: wordnet30
• stop dealing with (verb.stative)

  Example:
  Hold all calls to the President's office while he is in a meeting.
  

  source: wordnet30
• lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits (verb.social)

  Synonym: check, contain, control, curb, hold in, moderate
  

  Example:
  Hold your tongue.
  Hold your temper.
  

  source: wordnet30
• keep from departing (verb.social)

  Example:
  Hold the taxi.
  Hold the horse.
  

  source: wordnet30
• take and maintain control over, often by violent means (verb.social)

  source: wordnet30
• cause to stop (verb.motion)

  Synonym: arrest, halt, stop
  

  source: wordnet30
• cover as for protection against noise or smell (verb.contact)

  Example:
  Hold one's nose.
  

  source: wordnet30
• drink alcohol without showing ill effects (verb.consumption)

  Synonym: carry
  

  Example:
  He can hold his liquor.
  

  source: wordnet30
• aim, point, or direct (verb.competition)

  Example:
  Hold the fire extinguisher directly on the flames.
  

  source: wordnet30
• declare to be (verb.communication)

  Synonym: adjudge, declare
  

  source: wordnet30
• be in accord; be in agreement (verb.communication)

  Synonym: agree, concord, concur
  Antonym: differ, disagree, dissent, take issue
  

  Example:
  I hold with those who say life is sacred.
  

  source: wordnet30
• keep from exhaling or expelling (verb.body)

  Example:
  Hold your breath.
  

  source: wordnet30
• 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. (verb)

  source: webster1913
• In general, to keep one's self in a given position or condition; to remain fixed. Hence: (verb)

  source: webster1913

Visual Synonyms (Thesaurus)

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