Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Occupied or controlled by a specific group or force: Describes a place, area, or thing that is under the possession, control, or influence of a particular entity, often used in combination.
   • Past tense and past participle of the verb 'hold': Used to form perfect tenses and the passive voice for the verb 'hold'.

Usage

• As an Adjective: Used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb like 'is' or 'was') to describe who controls something.
  • The rebels captured the enemy-held city.
  • The territory is still held by the opposing faction.
• As a Verb Form: Used with auxiliary verbs to indicate a completed action or a state resulting from an action.
  • She has held the position for five years. (Present Perfect)
  • The meeting was held in the main auditorium. (Passive Voice)

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The journalist entered the rebel-held zone cautiously.
  • They discussed strategies for retaking the militarily held hills.
• Verb Form:
  • He held the baby gently. (Simple Past)
  • They have always held that belief. (Present Perfect)
  • A celebration will be held next week. (Future Passive)

Advanced Usage

• "Firmly held belief/opinion": A conviction or view that someone is very certain about and unlikely to change.
  • It was a firmly held belief in the community.
• "To be held accountable/liable/responsible": To be considered answerable or legally obligated for something.
  • The company was held liable for the environmental damage.
• "Held in high esteem/regard": To be greatly respected and admired.
  • The professor is held in high esteem by her colleagues.

Variants and Related Words

• Hold (v/n): The base form of the verb and noun.
• Holder (n): A person or thing that holds something (e.g., , ).
• Holding (n): Something that is owned, such as land, stocks, or a collection (e.g., ).

Synonyms

• Controlled: Under the authority or influence of.
• Occupied: Taken possession of and controlled by force.
• Possessed: Owned or controlled by.
• Retained: Continued to hold or keep.

Related Phrasal Verbs (from the base verb 'hold')

• Hold on: To wait; to grip something firmly.
  • Please hold on for a moment.
• Hold up: To delay; to rob using threats.
  • The accident held up traffic for hours.
• Hold back: To restrain or hesitate.
  • She couldn't hold back her tears.
• Hold out: To endure; to offer.
  • The defenders held out against the siege.

Related Idioms

• Hold your horses: A phrase telling someone to be patient and wait.
  • Hold your horses! Let me finish explaining.
• Hold the line: To maintain a position or wait on the telephone.
  • The soldiers were ordered to hold the line at all costs.
• Hold water: To be logical, sound, or valid (often used negatively).
  • His excuse for being late doesn't hold water.

Adjective

1. occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
   • enemy-held territory