# hold /ˈhoʊɫd/ (US) · /hˈəʊld/ (UK) Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hold Updated: 2026-06-19 ## Senses ### 1. to grip with hands verb · CEFR A1 to take and keep something in your hand or arms. For teachers: to grasp, carry, or support with one's hands or arms. - Can you hold my bag for a second while I find my keys? - The mother held her newborn infant with such delicate care that she seemed afraid any sudden movement might wake him. ### 2. to contain verb · CEFR A2 to have enough space for a certain amount of people or things. For teachers: to have the capacity for or to contain a specified volume or number. - This stadium can hold up to fifty thousand fans. - The new reservoir is designed to hold millions of gallons of water, providing a crucial buffer during the dry summer months. ### 3. to organize an event verb · CEFR B1 to make an event happen, like a meeting, a party, or an election. For teachers: to conduct or preside over an event, meeting, or ceremony; frequently used in the passive voice. - The school will hold a graduation ceremony in the main hall. - 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'. ### 4. to believe or claim verb · CEFR B2 · Formal to have a particular opinion or belief about something. For teachers: to maintain a particular opinion, belief, or theory. - Many people hold the view that technology makes life easier. - The court held that the defendant had acted in self-defense, effectively ending the three-year legal battle. ### 5. to wait on the phone verb · CEFR A2 to wait on a telephone line until the person you want to talk to is free. For teachers: to remain on a telephone connection without hanging up. - The operator asked me to hold while she checked my reservation. - 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'. ### 6. to omit an ingredient verb · CEFR B1 · Informal · American English you say this when you want a meal without a specific ingredient. For teachers: to request the omission of a standard component in a food or drink order. - I'll have a cheeseburger, but please hold the onions. - The customer requested a large pepperoni pizza but asked the kitchen to hold the olives due to a severe allergy. ### 7. a physical grip noun · CEFR B1 the act of gripping something or the way you grip it. For teachers: an act or manner of grasping or gripping something physically. - He lost his hold on the rope and fell into the water. - The climber struggled to find a secure hold on the icy rock face as the wind began to pick up. ### 8. cargo area noun · CEFR B2 the area in a ship or aircraft where goods are carried. For teachers: the lower part of a ship's hull or the freight compartment of an aircraft. - The luggage was loaded into the plane's cargo hold. - The ship's hold was packed with crates of exotic spices destined for the European markets. ### 9. influence or power noun · CEFR B2 power or influence over someone or something. For teachers: a position of power, influence, or control over a person or situation. - The cult leader had a strange hold over his followers. - The financial crisis took a firm hold on the nation's economy, leading to years of slow growth and high unemployment. ## Examples - The ship's hold is full of containers. - The ground crew loaded all passenger luggage into the aircraft's hold before takeoff. - Inspectors descended into the vast, dark hold of the cargo ship to verify that the sensitive equipment was properly secured against the anticipated rough seas. --- 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.