hold — ozdic

Collocations

16

1

(noun.) act/way of holding sth

ADJ

firm, tight

The wrestler maintained a firm hold on his opponent's arm throughout the match.

VERB + HOLD

catch, get, grab, grasp, seize, take

She grabbed hold of the rope as the boat began to rock in the waves.

have, keep

She has a strong hold on the company after working there for twenty years.

lose

When she got tired, she started to lose her hold on the rope.

tighten

relax, release

After the argument, he gradually relaxed his hold on the steering wheel.

PREP

~ on

The child kept a firm hold on her mother's hand as they crossed the busy street.

2

(noun.) influence/control over sb

ADJ

firm, powerful, strong, tight

The swimmer maintained a tight hold on the rope as the current pushed against her.

increasing

fragile, tenuous, weak

The climber's weak hold on the rope made everyone nervous during the storm.

VERB + HOLD

have

lose

After the accident, the driver lost his hold on the steering wheel.

consolidate, strengthen, tighten

The government strengthened its hold on power after winning the election.

break, weaken

The new government worked to weaken the hold that the old system had on the economy.

PREP

~ on

The captain maintained a firm hold on the rope as the ship swayed in the storm.

~ over

Her parents still have some hold over her decisions about money and career.

Definitions

verb

1

To grasp or grip.

Hold the pencil like this.

But then I had the flintlock by me for protection. ¶ There were giants in the days when that gun was made; for surely no modern mortal could have held that mass of metal steady to his shoulder. The linen-press and a chest on the top of it formed, however, a very good gun-carriage; and, thus mounted, aim could be taken out of the window[…].

2

To contain or store.

This package holds six bottles.

3

To maintain or keep to a position or state.

Hold my coat for me.

The general ordered the colonel to hold his position at all costs.

4

To maintain or keep to a position or state.

Hold a table for us at 7:00.

5

To maintain or keep to a position or state.

Hold the elevator.

noun

1

A grasp or grip.

Old Applegate, in the stern, just set and looked at me, and Lord James, amidship, waved both arms and kept hollering for help. I took a couple of everlasting big strokes and managed to grab hold of the skiff's rail, close to the stern.

Keep a firm hold on the handlebars.

2

An act or instance of holding.

Can I have a hold of the baby?

3

A place where animals are held for safety

4

An order that something is to be reserved or delayed, limiting or preventing how it can be dealt with.

Senator X placed a hold on the bill, then went to the library and placed a hold on a book.

Because there were no “launch commit criteria” regarding surface booster temperatures that might cause a hold on the launch, the ice team did not report the temperatures to the launch controllers.

5

Something reserved or kept.

We have a hold here for you.

noun

1

The cargo area of a ship or aircraft (often holds or cargo hold).

We watched our luggage being loaded into the hold of the plane.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

noun — the act of grasping

noun — the appendage to an object that is designed to be held in or

noun — a cell in a jail or prison

keep

noun — understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitu

noun — a state of being confined (usually for a short time)

detention
detainment
custody

noun — time during which some action is awaited

delay
postponement
wait

verb — keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view

deem

verb — be in accord

verb — declare to be

verb — bind by an obligation

verb — protect against a challenge or attack

verb — drink alcohol without showing ill effects

carry

verb — be the physical support of

verb — to close within bounds, or otherwise limit or deprive of fre

verb — support or hold in a certain manner

verb — organize or be responsible for

verb — maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)

verb — cause to stop

verb — have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense

have

verb — secure and keep for possible future use or application

retain

verb — have rightfully

bear

verb — arrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in adva

verb — lessen the intensity of

verb — be valid, applicable, or true

verb — be pertinent or relevant or applicable

apply

verb — cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity

verb — contain or hold

verb — be capable of holding or containing

verb — resist or confront with resistance

defy
withstand

verb — have room for

Antonyms

disagree
differ
dissent
release
relinquish

Idioms & Phrases

hold up

To wait or delay.

Hold up a minute. I want to check something.

hold on

To grasp or grip firmly.

Hold on tightly to the railing.

hold out

To hold (something) out; to extend (something) forward.

He held out his hand, and I grabbed it.

hold off

To delay (someone or something) temporarily; to keep at bay.

Let's try to hold off the lawyers until we are ready for them.

on hold

Delayed; postponed; suspended.

This project is on hold until we can get more information.

Example Bank

6

01

Hold the pencil like this.

Wiktionary

02

But then I had the flintlock by me for protection. ¶ There were giants in the days when that gun was made; for surely no modern mortal could have held that mass of metal steady to his shoulder. The li

Wiktionary

03

The slightest effort made the patient cough. He would stand leaning on a stick and holding a hand to his side, and when the paroxysm had passed it left him shaking.

Wiktionary

04

Old Applegate, in the stern, just set and looked at me, and Lord James, amidship, waved both arms and kept hollering for help. I took a couple of everlasting big strokes and managed to grab hold of th

Wiktionary

05

Keep a firm hold on the handlebars.

Wiktionary

06

Can I have a hold of the baby?

Wiktionary

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, hold is marked as obsolete. Watch for register when choosing this word.