hold

/hoʊld/

Reviewed on

Also a noun

Meaning

  1. To grasp, carry, or support something using the hands or arms.

    • Please hold my coffee while I search my pockets for the car keys.

  2. To contain or be capable of accommodating a particular amount or number.

    • The renovated concert hall can easily hold over two thousand spectators.

  3. To organize, conduct, or host a scheduled event or meeting.

    • The committee will hold its monthly planning session in the main boardroom.

  4. To maintain or remain in a particular state, condition, or position.

    • The meteorologist expects the mild weather to hold through the entire weekend.

  5. To maintain a belief, opinion, or formal principle.

    • Many legal analysts hold that the original statute remains entirely constitutional.

  6. To detain or confine someone legally or against their will.

    • Police cannot hold a suspect indefinitely without filing formal criminal charges.

How it's used

When this means “grasp something”

  • hold the coffee

“hold it.”

Hold the coffee carefully so it does not spill on the rug.

When this means “contain a quantity”

  • hold over two thousand spectators

“hold them.”

This small auditorium cannot hold more than fifty visitors at once.

When this means “conduct an event”

  • hold the monthly meeting

“hold it.”

The board plans to hold the annual shareholder meeting downtown.

Collocations

  • hold hands
  • hold a meeting
  • hold the belief
  • get a hold of

Synonyms

Antonyms

Idioms

  • put on hold

    to delay or postpone something temporarily

    Management decided to put the expansion project on hold until next spring.

  • hold the line

    to refuse to yield or change position under pressure

    The negotiators promised to hold the line on the agreed budget limits.

  • hold on

    to wait a moment

    Hold on, I'll get a pen.