| English Dictionary |
HOLD (held)
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
| IPA (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does hold mean?
• HOLD (noun)
The noun HOLD has 9 senses:
1. the act of grasping
2. understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something
3. power by which something or someone is affected or dominated
4. time during which some action is awaited
5. a state of being confined (usually for a short time)
6. a stronghold
7. a cell in a jail or prison
8. the appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it
9. the space in a ship or aircraft for storing cargo
Familiarity information: HOLD used as a noun is familiar.
• HOLD (verb)
The verb HOLD has 36 senses:
1. cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., 'keep clean'
2. have or hold in one's hands or grip
3. organize or be responsible for
4. have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense
5. keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view
6. maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
7. to close within bounds, or otherwise limit or deprive of free movement
8. secure and keep for possible future use or application
9. have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices
10. be the physical support of; carry the weight of
11. contain or hold; have within
12. have room for; hold without crowding
13. remain in a certain state, position, or condition
14. support or hold in a certain manner
15. be valid, applicable, or true
16. assert or affirm
17. have as a major characteristic
18. be capable of holding or containing
19. arrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in advance
20. protect against a challenge or attack
21. bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted
22. hold the attention of
23. remain committed to
24. resist or confront with resistance
25. be pertinent or relevant or applicable
26. stop dealing with
27. lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits
28. keep from departing
29. take and maintain control over, often by violent means
30. cause to stop
31. cover as for protection against noise or smell
32. drink alcohol without showing ill effects
33. aim, point, or direct
34. declare to be
35. be in accord; be in agreement
36. keep from exhaling or expelling
Familiarity information: HOLD used as a verb is very familiar.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
The act of grasping
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Synonyms:
clasp; clench; clutch; clutches; grasp; grip; hold
Context example:
she kept a firm hold on the railing
Hypernyms ("hold" is a kind of...):
grasping; prehension; seizing; taking hold (the act of gripping something firmly with the hands (or the tentacles))
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "hold"):
choke hold; chokehold (a restraining hold; someone loops the arm around the neck of another person in a tight grip, usually from behind)
embrace; embracement; embracing (the act of clasping another person in the arms (as in greeting or affection))
wrestling hold (a hold used in the sport of wrestling)
Derivation:
hold (have or hold in one's hands or grip)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Synonyms:
appreciation; grasp; hold
Context example:
he has a good grasp of accounting practices
Hypernyms ("hold" is a kind of...):
apprehension; discernment; savvy; understanding (the cognitive condition of someone who understands)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "hold"):
sense (a natural appreciation or ability)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Power by which something or someone is affected or dominated
Classified under:
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects
Context example:
he has a hold over them
Hypernyms ("hold" is a kind of...):
control (power to direct or determine)
Derivation:
hold (hold the attention of)
Sense 4
Meaning:
Time during which some action is awaited
Classified under:
Nouns denoting time and temporal relations
Synonyms:
delay; hold; postponement; time lag; wait
Context example:
he ordered a hold in the action
Hypernyms ("hold" is a kind of...):
break; intermission; interruption; pause; suspension (a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "hold"):
extension (a mutually agreed delay in the date set for the completion of a job or payment of a debt)
moratorium (a legally authorized postponement before some obligation must be discharged)
retardation (the extent to which something is delayed or held back)
Derivation:
hold (cause to stop)
hold (stop dealing with)
Sense 5
Meaning:
A state of being confined (usually for a short time)
Classified under:
Nouns denoting stable states of affairs
Synonyms:
custody; detainment; detention; hold
Context example:
he is in the custody of police
Hypernyms ("hold" is a kind of...):
confinement (the state of being confined)
Derivation:
hold (to close within bounds, or otherwise limit or deprive of free movement)
Sense 6
Meaning:
A stronghold
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("hold" is a kind of...):
fastness; stronghold (a strongly fortified defensive structure)
Domain usage:
archaicism; archaism (the use of an archaic expression)
Sense 7
Meaning:
A cell in a jail or prison
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Synonyms:
hold; keep
Hypernyms ("hold" is a kind of...):
cell; jail cell; prison cell (a room where a prisoner is kept)
Derivation:
hold (to close within bounds, or otherwise limit or deprive of free movement)
Sense 8
Meaning:
The appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Synonyms:
Context example:
it was an old briefcase but it still had a good grip
Hypernyms ("hold" is a kind of...):
appendage (a part that is joined to something larger)
Meronyms (parts of "hold"):
shank; stem (cylinder forming a long narrow part of something)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "hold"):
ax handle; axe handle (the handle of an ax)
broom handle; broomstick (the handle of a broom)
crop (the stock or handle of a whip)
haft; helve (the handle of a weapon or tool)
hilt (the handle of a sword or dagger)
hoe handle (the handle of a hoe)
knob (a round handle)
mop handle (the handle of a mop)
panhandle (the handle of a pan)
pommel; saddlebow (handgrip formed by the raised front part of a saddle)
pommel (a handgrip that a gymnast uses when performing exercises on a pommel horse)
rake handle (the handle of a rake)
stock (the handle end of some implements or tools)
gunstock; stock (the handle of a handgun or the butt end of a rifle or shotgun or part of the support of a machine gun or artillery gun)
Holonyms ("hold" is a part of...):
aspergill; aspersorium (a short-handled device with a globe containing a sponge; used for sprinkling holy water)
baggage; luggage (cases used to carry belongings when traveling)
baseball bat; lumber (an implement used in baseball by the batter)
briefcase (a case with a handle; for carrying papers or files or books)
brush (an implement that has hairs or bristles firmly set into a handle)
carpet beater; rug beater (implement for beating dust out of carpets)
carrycot (box-shaped baby bed with handles (for a baby to sleep in while being carried))
cheese cutter (a kitchen utensil (board or handle) with a wire for cutting cheese)
coffee cup (a cup from which coffee is drunk)
coffeepot (tall pot in which coffee is brewed)
bat; cricket bat (the club used in playing cricket)
cutlery; eating utensil (tableware implements for cutting and eating food)
edge tool (any cutting tool with a sharp cutting edge (as a chisel or knife or plane or gouge))
faucet; spigot (a regulator for controlling the flow of a liquid from a reservoir)
frying pan; frypan; skillet (a pan used for frying foods)
handbarrow (a rectangular frame with handles at both ends; carried by two people)
cart; go-cart; handcart; pushcart (wheeled vehicle that can be pushed by a person; may have one or two or four wheels)
handlebar (the shaped bar used to steer a bicycle)
French telephone; handset (telephone set with the mouthpiece and earpiece mounted on a single handle)
hand tool (a tool used with workers' hands)
ladle (a spoon-shaped vessel with a long handle; frequently used to transfer liquids from one container to another)
mug (with handle and usually cylindrical)
racket; racquet (a sports implement (usually consisting of a handle and an oval frame with a tightly interlaced network of strings) used to strike a ball (or shuttlecock) in various games)
saucepan (a deep pan with a handle; used for stewing or boiling)
spatula (a turner with a narrow flexible blade)
teacup (a cup from which tea is drunk)
umbrella (a lightweight handheld collapsible canopy)
watering can; watering pot (a container with a handle and a spout with a perforated nozzle; used to sprinkle water over plants)
Sense 9
Meaning:
The space in a ship or aircraft for storing cargo
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Synonyms:
cargo area; cargo deck; cargo hold; hold; storage area
Hypernyms ("hold" is a kind of...):
enclosure (a structure consisting of an area that has been enclosed for some purpose)
Holonyms ("hold" is a part of...):
ship (a vessel that carries passengers or freight)
Derivation:
hold (contain or hold; have within)
hold (be capable of holding or containing)
| Conjugation: |
... he / she / it holds Past simple: held
Past participle: held
-ing form: holding
Sense 1
Meaning:
Cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., 'keep clean'
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Synonyms:
Context example:
The students keep me on my toes
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "hold"):
pressurise; pressurize (maintain a certain pressure)
bear on; carry on; continue; preserve; uphold (keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last)
hold over (keep in a position or state from an earlier period of time)
conserve (keep constant through physical or chemical reactions or evolutionary change)
preserve (keep undisturbed for personal or private use for hunting, shooting, or fishing)
distance (keep at a distance)
housekeep (maintain a household; take care of all business related to a household)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s something Adjective/Noun
Somebody ----s somebody PP
Somebody ----s something PP
Also:
hold back (hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of)
hold out (stand up or offer resistance to somebody or something)
hold out (continue to live and avoid dying)
hold over (keep in a position or state from an earlier period of time)
hold up (cause to be slowed down or delayed)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Have or hold in one's hands or grip
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
hold; take hold
Context example:
A crazy idea took hold of him
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "hold"):
cling to; clutch; hold close; hold tight (hold firmly, usually with one's hands)
cradle (hold gently and carefully)
clinch (hold a boxing opponent with one or both arms so as to prevent punches)
interlace; interlock; lock (hold in a locking position)
trap (hold or catch as if in a trap)
cradle (hold or place in or as if in a cradle)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something
Sentence example:
They want to hold the prisoners
Antonym:
let go of (release, as from one's grip)
Derivation:
hold (the act of grasping)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Organize or be responsible for
Classified under:
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing
Synonyms:
Context example:
give a course
Hypernyms (to "hold" is one way to...):
direct (be in charge of)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Sense 4
Meaning:
Have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense
Classified under:
Verbs of buying, selling, owning
Synonyms:
Context example:
She holds a Master's degree from Harvard
Verb group:
feature; have (have as a feature)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "hold"):
keep; maintain; sustain (supply with necessities and support)
hold on; keep (retain possession of)
keep (look after; be the keeper of; have charge of)
keep; maintain (maintain for use and service)
keep (have as a supply)
monopolise; monopolize (have or exploit a monopoly of)
exert; maintain; wield (have and exercise)
carry; stock; stockpile (have on hand)
bear; hold (have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices)
carry (have or possess something abstract)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s something
Derivation:
holding (something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone)
Sense 5
Meaning:
Keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view
Classified under:
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting
Synonyms:
Context example:
I hold him personally responsible
Hypernyms (to "hold" is one way to...):
consider; reckon; regard; see; view (deem to be)
Verb group:
hold (assert or affirm)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s something Adjective/Noun
Somebody ----s somebody something
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE
Sense 6
Meaning:
Maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
Classified under:
Verbs of feeling
Synonyms:
entertain; harbor; harbour; hold; nurse
Context example:
harbor a resentment
Hypernyms (to "hold" is one way to...):
experience; feel (undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Sense 7
Meaning:
To close within bounds, or otherwise limit or deprive of free movement
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
confine; constrain; hold; restrain
Context example:
The terrorists held the journalists for ransom
Hypernyms (to "hold" is one way to...):
disable; disenable; incapacitate (make unable to perform a certain action)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "hold"):
bind; tie down; tie up; truss (secure with or as if with ropes)
fetter; shackle (restrain with fetters)
enchain (restrain or bind with chains)
pinion; shackle (bind the arms of)
impound; pound (place or shut up in a pound)
pound; pound up (shut up or confine in any enclosure or within any bounds or limits)
fold; pen up (confine in a fold, like sheep)
ground (confine or restrict to the ground)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something
Derivation:
hold (a state of being confined (usually for a short time))
hold (a cell in a jail or prison)
Sense 8
Meaning:
Secure and keep for possible future use or application
Classified under:
Verbs of buying, selling, owning
Synonyms:
hold; hold back; keep back; retain
Context example:
I reserve the right to disagree
Hypernyms (to "hold" is one way to...):
hold on; keep (retain possession of)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "hold"):
hold down (keep)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Sentence example:
They hold the money
Derivation:
holding (the act of retaining something)
Sense 9
Meaning:
Have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices
Classified under:
Verbs of buying, selling, owning
Synonyms:
bear; hold
Context example:
He held the governorship for almost a decade
Hypernyms (to "hold" is one way to...):
have; have got; hold (have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Derivation:
holder (the person who is in possession of a check or note or bond or document of title that is endorsed to him or to whoever holds it)
Sense 10
Meaning:
Be the physical support of; carry the weight of
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
hold; hold up; support; sustain
Context example:
What's holding that mirror?
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "hold"):
scaffold (provide with a scaffold for support)
block (support, secure, or raise with a block)
carry (bear or be able to bear the weight, pressure,or responsibility of)
chock (support on chocks)
pole (support on poles)
bracket (support with brackets)
underpin (support from beneath)
prop; prop up; shore; shore up (support by placing against something solid or rigid)
truss (support structurally)
brace (support by bracing)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something
Derivation:
holder (a holding device)
Sense 11
Meaning:
Contain or hold; have within
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Synonyms:
Context example:
This can contains water
Hypernyms (to "hold" is one way to...):
include (have as a part, be made up out of)
Verb group:
contain; hold; take (be capable of holding or containing)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "hold"):
retain (hold back within)
confine; enclose; hold in (close in)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s something
Sentence example:
They hold the animals
Derivation:
hold (the space in a ship or aircraft for storing cargo)
Sense 12
Meaning:
Have room for; hold without crowding
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Synonyms:
accommodate; admit; hold
Context example:
The auditorium can't hold more than 500 people
Verb group:
contain; hold; take (be capable of holding or containing)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "hold"):
sleep (be able to accommodate for sleeping)
house (contain or cover)
seat (be able to seat)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something
Sense 13
Meaning:
Remain in a certain state, position, or condition
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Context example:
They held on the road and kept marching
Hypernyms (to "hold" is one way to...):
continue; go along; go on; keep; proceed (continue a certain state, condition, or activity)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Somebody ----s PP
Sense 14
Meaning:
Support or hold in a certain manner
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
Context example:
He carried himself upright
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "hold"):
sling (hold or carry in a sling)
stoop (carry oneself, often habitually, with head, shoulders, and upper back bent forward)
piggyback (support on the back and shoulders)
balance; poise (hold or carry in equilibrium)
acquit; bear; behave; carry; comport; conduct; deport (behave in a certain manner)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Sense 15
Meaning:
Be valid, applicable, or true
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Synonyms:
Context example:
This theory still holds
Hypernyms (to "hold" is one way to...):
be; exist (have an existence, be extant)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s
Sense 16
Meaning:
Assert or affirm
Classified under:
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting
Context example:
Rousseau's philosophy holds that people are inherently good
Hypernyms (to "hold" is one way to...):
affirm; assert; aver; avow; swan; swear; verify (to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true)
Verb group:
deem; hold; take for; view as (keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE
Sentence example:
They hold that there was a traffic accident
Sense 17
Meaning:
Have as a major characteristic
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Context example:
The book holds in store much valuable advise
Hypernyms (to "hold" is one way to...):
be (have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun))
Sentence frame:
Something ----s something
Sense 18
Meaning:
Be capable of holding or containing
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Synonyms:
Context example:
The flask holds one gallon
Hypernyms (to "hold" is one way to...):
be (have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun))
Verb group:
bear; carry; contain; hold (contain or hold; have within)
accommodate; admit; hold (have room for; hold without crowding)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s something
Derivation:
hold (the space in a ship or aircraft for storing cargo)
Sense 19
Meaning:
Arrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in advance
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Synonyms:
Context example:
please hold a table at Maxim's
Hypernyms (to "hold" is one way to...):
ask for; bespeak; call for; quest; request (express the need or desire for)
"Hold" entails doing...:
procure; secure (get by special effort)
Verb group:
reserve (obtain or arrange (for oneself) in advance)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "hold"):
hold open; keep; keep open; save (retain rights to)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Sense 20
Meaning:
Protect against a challenge or attack
Classified under:
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities
Synonyms:
Context example:
Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks
Hypernyms (to "hold" is one way to...):
protect (shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage)
Verb group:
hold (take and maintain control over, often by violent means)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Sense 21
Meaning:
Bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Synonyms:
Context example:
I'll hold you by your promise
Hypernyms (to "hold" is one way to...):
relate (have or establish a relationship to)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "hold"):
pledge (bind or secure by a pledge)
article (bind by a contract; especially for a training period)
indent; indenture (bind by or as if by indentures, as of an apprentice or servant)
tie down (restrain from independence by an obligation)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Somebody ----s somebody to INFINITIVE
Sense 22
Meaning:
Hold the attention of
Classified under:
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting
Context example:
She can hold an audience spellbound
Hypernyms (to "hold" is one way to...):
becharm; beguile; bewitch; captivate; capture; catch; charm; enamor; enamour; enchant; entrance; fascinate; trance (attract; cause to be enamored)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s something
Derivation:
hold (power by which something or someone is affected or dominated)
Sense 23
Meaning:
Remain committed to
Classified under:
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting
Context example:
I hold to these ideas
Hypernyms (to "hold" is one way to...):
believe; conceive; consider; think (judge or regard; look upon; judge)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s PP
Sense 24
Meaning:
Resist or confront with resistance
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Synonyms:
defy; hold; hold up; withstand
Context example:
The bridge held
Hypernyms (to "hold" is one way to...):
hold out; resist; stand firm; withstand (stand up or offer resistance to somebody or something)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "hold"):
brave; brave out; endure; weather (face and withstand with courage)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Sense 25
Meaning:
Be pertinent or relevant or applicable
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Synonyms:
Context example:
The same rules go for everyone
Hypernyms (to "hold" is one way to...):
bear on; come to; concern; have to do with; pertain; refer; relate; touch; touch on (be relevant to)
Verb group:
apply; lend oneself (be applicable to; as to an analysis)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Something is ----ing PP
Sense 26
Meaning:
Stop dealing with
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Context example:
hold all calls to the President's office while he is in a meeting
Hypernyms (to "hold" is one way to...):
defer; hold over; postpone; prorogue; put off; put over; remit; set back; shelve; table (hold back to a later time)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s something
Derivation:
hold (time during which some action is awaited)
Sense 27
Meaning:
Lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Synonyms:
check; contain; control; curb; hold; hold in; moderate
Context example:
control your anger
Hypernyms (to "hold" is one way to...):
hold back; keep; keep back; restrain (prevent the action or expression of)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "hold"):
conquer; stamp down; subdue; suppress (bring under control by force or authority)
damp (restrain or discourage)
crucify; mortify; subdue (hold within limits and control)
abnegate; deny (deny oneself (something); restrain, especially from indulging in some pleasure)
train (cause to grow in a certain way by tying and pruning it)
catch (check oneself during an action)
bate (moderate or restrain; lessen the force of)
thermostat (control the temperature with a thermostat)
counteract; countercheck (oppose or check by a counteraction)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Sense 28
Meaning:
Keep from departing
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Context example:
Hold the horse
Hypernyms (to "hold" is one way to...):
keep; prevent (stop (someone or something) from doing something or being in a certain state)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Sense 29
Meaning:
Take and maintain control over, often by violent means
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Context example:
The dissatisfied students held the President's office for almost a week
Hypernyms (to "hold" is one way to...):
command; control (exercise authoritative control or power over)
Verb group:
defend; guard; hold (protect against a challenge or attack)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s somebody
Sense 30
Meaning:
Cause to stop
Classified under:
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming
Synonyms:
Context example:
halt the presses
Hypernyms (to "hold" is one way to...):
stop (cause to stop)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something
Sentence example:
They hold the animals
Derivation:
hold (time during which some action is awaited)
Sense 31
Meaning:
Cover as for protection against noise or smell
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Context example:
hold one's nose
Hypernyms (to "hold" is one way to...):
cover (provide with a covering or cause to be covered)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Sense 32
Meaning:
Drink alcohol without showing ill effects
Classified under:
Verbs of eating and drinking
Synonyms:
carry; hold
Context example:
he had drunk more than he could carry
Hypernyms (to "hold" is one way to...):
booze; drink; fuddle; hit the bottle (consume alcohol)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Sense 33
Meaning:
Aim, point, or direct
Classified under:
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities
Context example:
Hold the fire extinguisher directly on the flames
Hypernyms (to "hold" is one way to...):
aim; direct; take; take aim; train (point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s somebody PP
Sense 34
Meaning:
Declare to be
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Synonyms:
Context example:
judge held that the defendant was innocent
Hypernyms (to "hold" is one way to...):
evaluate; judge; pass judgment (form a critical opinion of)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "hold"):
acknowledge; admit (declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of)
superannuate (declare to be obsolete)
bastardise; bastardize (declare a child to be illegitimate)
certify (declare legally insane)
call (declare in the capacity of an umpire or referee)
beatify (declare (a dead person) to be blessed; the first step of achieving sainthood)
canonise; canonize; saint (declare (a dead person) to be a saint)
judge; label; pronounce (pronounce judgment on)
cancel; strike down (declare null and void; make ineffective)
formalise; formalize (make formal or official)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s something Adjective/Noun
Somebody ----s somebody something
Sense 35
Meaning:
Be in accord; be in agreement
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Synonyms:
Context example:
Both philosophers concord on this point
Verb group:
agree (achieve harmony of opinion, feeling, or purpose)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "hold"):
settle (end a legal dispute by arriving at a settlement)
conciliate; make up; patch up; reconcile; settle (come to terms)
see eye to eye (be in agreement)
concede; grant; yield (be willing to concede)
subscribe; support (adopt as a belief)
conclude; resolve (reach a conclusion after a discussion or deliberation)
arrange; fix up (make arrangements for)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s on something
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE
Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE
Sense 36
Meaning:
Keep from exhaling or expelling
Classified under:
Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care
Context example:
hold your breath
Hypernyms (to "hold" is one way to...):
hold back; keep; keep back; restrain (prevent the action or expression of)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Context examples
I know where your son is, and I know some, at least, of those who are holding him.
(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
“The string is exceedingly interesting,” he remarked, holding it up to the light and sniffing at it.
(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
The streaming umbrella which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told of the fierce weather through which he had come.
(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
The town is capable of holding five hundred thousand souls: the houses are from three to five stories: the shops and markets well provided.
(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)
Martin laughed and held him to his work.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
If you do discover that someone has held information from you, you may become upset.
(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)
Even in her hysteria she knew it, and she was glad that she had been able to hold up under the strain until everything had been accomplished.
(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)
Miss Murdstone made a jail-delivery of her pocket-handkerchief, and held it before her eyes.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
The weasel never relaxed her hold.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
The dog-driver held the axe poised in his hand, and as Buck shot past him the axe crashed down upon mad Dolly’s head.
(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)
| Learn English with... Proverbs |
"A hungry stomach makes a short prayer." (Native American proverb, Paiute)
"Measure seven times, cut once." (Armenian proverb)
"An understanding person needs only half a word." (Dutch proverb)