📒 to have somebody/something in your hand, arms, etc.
- hold somebody/something She was holding a large box.
- They were holding hands (= the right hand of one person holding the left hand of the other).
- hold somebody/something + adv./prep. I held the mouse by its tail.
📒 to put your hand on part of your body, usually because it hurts
- hold something She groaned and held her head.
- hold something + adv./prep. The prisoner held his head in his hands.
- She started to dance, holding her hands rapturously to her chest.
📒 to keep somebody/something in a particular position
- hold something + adv./prep. Hold your head up.
- Hold this position for a count of 10.
- The wood is held in position by a clamp.
📒 to support the weight of somebody/something
- I don't think that branch will hold your weight.
- She let him hold most of her weight as he led her upstairs.
- Several pieces of wood joined together can hold more weight than just one piece.
📒 to have enough space for something/somebody; to contain something/somebody
- This barrel holds 25 litres.
- The plane holds about 300 passengers.
- The inner box holds the cheese and has holes in it.
📒 to have or offer something; to be going to bring something
- I don't know what the future holds.
- This research holds the key to understanding life.
📒 to have a meeting, competition, conversation, etc.
- Each month she holds a meeting with her entire staff.
- The British Foreign Minister held talks with the leaders of the two countries.
- He has already held discussions with Irish shareholders.
📒 to have something you have gained or achieved
- Who holds the world record for the long jump?
- She held the title of world champion for three years.
📒 to have a particular job or position
- How long has he held office?
- Mrs Thatcher held the post of prime minister longer than anyone else last century.
- Men still hold most positions of power in this country.
📒 to keep somebody and not allow them to leave
- hold somebody Police are holding two men in connection with last Thursday's bank raid.
- hold somebody + noun He was held prisoner for two years.
- Eight people were held hostage for four months.
📒 to keep somebody’s attention or interest
- There wasn't much in the museum to hold my attention.
- These discussions held little interest for Lucy.
📒 to keep something at the same level, rate, speed, etc.; to stay at the same level, rate, etc.
- hold something (at something) Hold your speed at 70.
- Interest rates have been held at 8% for a year now.
- hold something to something They are trying to hold public spending to £300 billion.
📒 to keep something so that it can be used later
- Employees do not have access to personal records held on computer.
- Our solicitor holds our wills.
- We can hold your reservation for three days.
📒 to wait until you can speak to the person you have phoned
- That extension is busy right now. Can you hold?
- hold the line She asked me to hold the line.
📒 to own or have something
- Employees hold 30% of the shares.
- He was born in South Africa but he holds a British passport.
- Applicants must hold a full driving licence.
📒 to defend something against attack; to have control of something
- The rebels held the radio station.
📒 to remain strong and safe or in position
- They were afraid the dam wouldn't hold.
📒 to remain the same
- How long will the fine weather hold?
- If their luck holds, they could still win the championship.
📒 to have a belief or an opinion about somebody/something
- hold something He holds strange views on education.
- hold somebody/something + adv./prep./adj. She is held in high regard by her students (= they have a high opinion of her).
- to be held in high esteem
📒 to consider that something is true
- hold that… I still hold that the government's economic policies are mistaken.
- hold somebody/something + adj. Parents will be held responsible for their children's behaviour.
- be held to be something These vases are held to be the finest examples of Greek art.
📒 to be in close contact with the road and easy to control, especially when driven fast
📒 to continue to move in a particular direction
📒 to make a note continue for a particular time
📒 be able to drink a reasonable amount of alcohol without becoming drunk
- I can hold my drink as well as anyone.
📒 to win a game in which you are serving
- hold (your) serve Zverev held serve to take the set.
- Halep held to love.
📒 used to tell somebody to stop doing something or not to do something
- Hold your fire! (= don't shoot)
- Hold the front page! (= don't print it until a particular piece of news is available)
- (North American English, informal) Give me a hot dog, but hold the (= don't give me any) mustard.
📒 to be true
- The same argument does not hold good in every case.
📒 used to ask somebody to wait, or not to move
- Hold it a second—I don't think everyone's arrived yet.
📒 to hold somebody/something very tightly because you are afraid
📒 a person cannot be prevented from doing something
- Once she gets on to the subject of politics there's no holding her.