noun
adj
verb
adv

Textual thesaurus for "hold"

(noun) grasp, grip, clasp, clench, clutch, clutches

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


(noun) cargo area, cargo deck, cargo hold, storage area

the space in a ship or aircraft for storing cargo


(noun) handgrip, handle, grip

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


(noun) keep

a cell in a jail or prison


(noun) grasp, appreciation

understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something

he has a good grasp of accounting practices


(noun) detention, custody, detainment

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


(noun) delay, postponement, time lag, wait

time during which some action is awaited

instant replay caused too long a delay; he ordered a hold in the action


(verb) deem, take for, view as

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


(verb) concord, concur, agree

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


(verb) declare, adjudge

declare to be

She was declared incompetent; judge held that the defendant was innocent


(verb) bind, obligate, oblige

bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted

He's held by a contract; I'll hold you by your promise


(verb) guard, defend

protect against a challenge or attack

Hold that position behind the trees!; Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks


(verb) carry

drink alcohol without showing ill effects

He can hold his liquor; he had drunk more than he could carry


(verb) take hold

have or hold in one's hands or grip

Hold this bowl for a moment, please; A crazy idea took hold of him


(verb) hold up, support, sustain

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?


(verb) confine, restrain

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


(verb) carry, bear

support or hold in a certain manner

She holds her head high; He carried himself upright


(verb) make, have, give, throw

organize or be responsible for

hold a reception; have, throw, or make a party; give a course


(verb) entertain, harbor, harbour, nurse

maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)

bear a grudge; entertain interesting notions; harbor a resentment


(verb) arrest, halt

cause to stop

Halt the engines; Arrest the progress; halt the presses


(verb) have, have got

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


(verb) keep back, hold back, retain

secure and keep for possible future use or application

The landlord retained the security deposit; I reserve the right to disagree


(verb) bear

have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices

She bears the title of Duchess; He held the governorship for almost a decade


(verb) book, reserve

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


(verb) contain, control, curb, hold in, check, moderate

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


(verb) prevail, obtain

be valid, applicable, or true

This theory still holds


(verb) apply, go for

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


(verb) keep, maintain

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


(verb) carry, contain, bear

contain or hold; have within

The jar carries wine; The canteen holds fresh water; This can contains water


(verb) take, contain

be capable of holding or containing

This box won't take all the items; The flask holds one gallon


(verb) withstand, defy, hold up

resist or confront with resistance

The politician defied public opinion; The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear; The bridge held


(verb) admit, accommodate

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