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REFERENCE

hold

v. · n.
US //ˈhoʊɫd// UK //hˈəʊld// hold
Irregular verb past held past participle held
  1. 1 to grip with hands (v.)
    A1 Beginner

    to take and keep something in your hand or arms.

    to grasp, carry, or support with one's hands or arms.

    Example

    Can you hold my bag for a second while I find my keys?

    Example

    The mother held her newborn infant with such delicate care that she seemed afraid any sudden movement might wake him.
  2. 2 to contain (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to have enough space for a certain amount of people or things.

    to have the capacity for or to contain a specified volume or number.

    Example

    This stadium can hold up to fifty thousand fans.

    Example

    The new reservoir is designed to hold millions of gallons of water, providing a crucial buffer during the dry summer months.
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  1. 3 to organize an event (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to make an event happen, like a meeting, a party, or an election.

    to conduct or preside over an event, meeting, or ceremony; frequently used in the passive voice.

    Example

    The school will hold a graduation ceremony in the main hall.

    Example

    The committee decided to hold the annual general meeting via video conference to ensure maximum participation from international members.

    Usage

    Often used in the passive voice: 'The meeting was held'.
  2. 4 to believe or claim (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    to have a particular opinion or belief about something.

    to maintain a particular opinion, belief, or theory.

    Example

    Many people hold the view that technology makes life easier.

    Example

    The court held that the defendant had acted in self-defense, effectively ending the three-year legal battle.
  3. 5 to wait on the phone (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to wait on a telephone line until the person you want to talk to is free.

    to remain on a telephone connection without hanging up.

    Example

    The operator asked me to hold while she checked my reservation.

    Example

    I had to hold for nearly forty minutes before a customer service representative finally answered my call.

    Usage

    Often used as 'hold on' or 'stay on the line'.
    • hang up
  4. 6 to omit an ingredient (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal American English Cooking

    you say this when you want a meal without a specific ingredient.

    to request the omission of a standard component in a food or drink order.

    Example

    I'll have a cheeseburger, but please hold the onions.

    Example

    The customer requested a large pepperoni pizza but asked the kitchen to hold the olives due to a severe allergy.
  5. 7 a physical grip (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the act of gripping something or the way you grip it.

    an act or manner of grasping or gripping something physically.

    Example

    He lost his hold on the rope and fell into the water.

    Example

    The climber struggled to find a secure hold on the icy rock face as the wind began to pick up.
  6. 8 cargo area (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Nautical

    the area in a ship or aircraft where goods are carried.

    the lower part of a ship's hull or the freight compartment of an aircraft.

    Example

    The luggage was loaded into the plane's cargo hold.

    Example

    The ship's hold was packed with crates of exotic spices destined for the European markets.
  7. 9 influence or power (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    power or influence over someone or something.

    a position of power, influence, or control over a person or situation.

    Example

    The cult leader had a strange hold over his followers.

    Example

    The financial crisis took a firm hold on the nation's economy, leading to years of slow growth and high unemployment.
Etymology 1

Derived from Middle English holden, derived from Old English healdan, derived from Proto-West Germanic haldan, derived from Proto-Germanic haldaną (“to tend, herd”), maybe derived from Proto-Indo-European *kel- (“to drive”). Doublet of halt. Cognates *West Frisian hâlde *Low German holden, holen *Dutch houden *German halten *Danish *Norwegian Bokmål holde *Norwegian Nynorsk halda. Compare Latin celer (“quick”), Tocharian B käl- (“to goad, drive”), Ancient Greek κέλλω (kéllō, “to drive”), Sanskrit कलयति (kalayati, “to impel”).

Etymology 2

Alteration (due to hold) of hole. Cognate with Dutch hol (“hole, cave, den, cavity, cargo hold”), Dutch holte (“cavity, hollow, den”).

Etymology 3

From Middle English hold, holde, from Old English hold (“gracious, friendly, kind”), from Proto-West Germanic holþ, from Proto-Germanic hulþaz (“favourable, gracious, loyal”), from Proto-Indo-European *kel- (“to tend, incline, bend, tip”). Cognate with German hold (“gracious, friendly, sympathetic, grateful”), Danish and Swedish huld (“fair, kindly, gracious”), Icelandic hollur (“faithful, dedicated, loyal”), German Huld (“grace, favour”).

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