# held

/ˈhɛɫd/ (US) · /hˈɛld/ (UK) · CEFR A2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/held
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

the past tense of 'hold'. It means you kept something in your hand or kept something in a specific position.

For teachers: the past tense and past participle of 'hold'. Refers to the act of grasping, carrying, or supporting something with one's hands or arms, or maintaining a specific state or position.

## Examples

- She held the baby in her arms for a long time.
- The meeting was held in the main conference room to accommodate all the staff members.
- The ancient pillars held the weight of the massive stone roof for centuries before the structure finally began to show signs of fatigue.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The meeting was holded yesterday." but "The meeting was held yesterday." — 'Hold' is an irregular verb; the past tense and past participle form is 'held', not 'holded'.

## Usage notes

- The past tense and past participle of the irregular verb 'hold'. It is transitive when referring to physical objects or events.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.