hold

Noun

• the space in a ship or aircraft for storing cargo

• 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
    

• a cell in a jail or prison

• a stronghold

• 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
    

• time during which some action is awaited
  • instant replay caused too long a delay
    
  • he ordered a hold in the action
    

• power by which something or someone is affected or dominated
  • he has a hold over them
    

• understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something
  • he has a good grasp of accounting practices
    

• 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
    

Verb

• keep from exhaling or expelling
  • hold your breath
    

• 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
    

• declare to be
  • She was declared incompetent
    
  • judge held that the defendant was innocent
    

• aim, point, or direct
  • Hold the fire extinguisher directly on the flames
    

• drink alcohol without showing ill effects
  • He can hold his liquor
    
  • he had drunk more than he could carry
    

• cover as for protection against noise or smell
  • She held her ears when the jackhammer started to operate
    
  • hold one's nose
    

• cause to stop
  • Halt the engines
    
  • Arrest the progress
    
  • halt the presses
    

• take and maintain control over, often by violent means
  • The dissatisfied students held the President's office for almost a week
    

• keep from departing
  • Hold the taxi
    
  • Hold the horse
    

• 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
    

• stop dealing with
  • hold all calls to the President's office while he is in a meeting
    

• 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
    

• resist or confront with resistance
  • The politician defied public opinion
    
  • The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear
    
  • The bridge held
    

• remain committed to
  • I hold to these ideas
    

• hold the attention of
  • The soprano held the audience
    
  • This story held our interest
    
  • She can hold an audience spellbound
    

• bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted
  • He's held by a contract
    
  • I'll hold you by your promise
    

• protect against a challenge or attack
  • Hold that position behind the trees!
    
  • Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks
    

• 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
    

• be capable of holding or containing
  • This box won't take all the items
    
  • The flask holds one gallon
    

• have as a major characteristic
  • The novel holds many surprises
    
  • The book holds in store much valuable advise
    

• assert or affirm
  • Rousseau's philosophy holds that people are inherently good
    

• be valid, applicable, or true
  • This theory still holds
    

• support or hold in a certain manner
  • She holds her head high
    
  • He carried himself upright
    

• remain in a certain state, position, or condition
  • The weather held
    
  • They held on the road and kept marching
    

• 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
    

• contain or hold; have within
  • The jar carries wine
    
  • The canteen holds fresh water
    
  • This can contains water
    

• 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?
    

• have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices
  • She bears the title of Duchess
    
  • He held the governorship for almost a decade
    

• secure and keep for possible future use or application
  • The landlord retained the security deposit
    
  • I reserve the right to disagree
    

• 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
    

• maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
  • bear a grudge
    
  • entertain interesting notions
    
  • harbor a resentment
    

• 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
    

• 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
    

• organize or be responsible for
  • hold a reception
    
  • have, throw, or make a party
    
  • give a course
    

• have or hold in one's hands or grip
  • Hold this bowl for a moment, please
    
  • A crazy idea took hold of him
    

• 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
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  cargo area , cargo deck , cargo hold , storage area , handle , grip , handgrip , keep , detention , detainment , custody , delay , time lag , postponement , wait , appreciation , grasp , clasp , clench , clutch , clutches , agree , concur , concord , declare , adjudge , carry , halt , arrest , control , hold in , co
• Antonyms: 
  disagree , differ , dissent , take issue , let go of , let go , release , relinquish