What is hold? How to use in English

Discover the meaning of hold in English, its pronunciation, and how to use it correctly in real-life situations. See examples and easy memorization tips.

Definition & pronunciation of hold

holdverb
cầm, nắm, giữ, sự cầm, sự nắm giữ
/həʊld/

Definition & pronunciation of <strong>hold</strong>

Where does the word hold come from?

The word "hold" has a rich history dating back to Old English and has undergone significant changes over time. The modern English word "hold" originates from the Old English word "holland" or "healdan", which meant "to grasp" or "to seize". This Old English word is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*hailiz", which is also the source of the Modern German word "halten" meaning "to hold". In Middle English (circa 1100-1500), the word "hold" evolved to mean "to grasp or seize with the hand" or "to possess or contain something". By the 16th century, the word expanded to include meanings such as "to retain or keep", "to support or sustain", and "to grasp or seize mentally or figuratively". Today, the word "hold" is used in a wide range of meanings, including physical, metaphorical, and idiomatic contexts.

Vocabulary summary hold

type noun

meaning hold (of ship)

example to hold to one's promise

example to hold by one's principles

example will the anchor hold?

type noun

meaning hold, grasp, grip

example to hold to one's promise

example to hold by one's principles

example will the anchor hold?

meaning (figurative) grasp, understanding

example will this fine weather hold?

example to hold one's head

meaning (figurative) influence

example the rule holds in all case

example does this principle hold good?

Example of vocabulary holdin hand/arms

to have somebody/something in your hand, arms, etc.

She was holding a large box.
They were holding hands (= the right hand of one person holding the left hand of the other).
I held the mouse by its tail.
The girl held her father's hand tightly.
He was holding the baby in his arms.

to put your hand on part of your body, usually because it hurts

She groaned and held her head.
The prisoner held his head in his hands.
She started to dance, holding her hands rapturously to her chest.

Example of vocabulary holdin position

to keep somebody/something in a particular position

Hold your head up.
Hold this position for a count of 10.
The wood is held in position by a clamp.
People held handkerchiefs over their mouths.
I had to hold my stomach in (= pull the muscles flat) to zip up my jeans.

Example of vocabulary holdsupport

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.

Example of vocabulary holdcontain

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.
Each 180-litre container will hold up to three black bags of rubbish.

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.

Example of vocabulary holdmeeting

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.
It's impossible to hold a conversation with all this noise.
The next conference will be held in Ohio.

Example of vocabulary holdrecord/title

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.

Example of vocabulary holdjob

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.
The company has held the advertising contract since 2005.
The professor will hold a seat on the advisory board.

Example of vocabulary holdsomebody prisoner

to keep somebody and not allow them to leave

Police are holding two men in connection with last Thursday's bank raid.
He was held prisoner for two years.
Eight people were held hostage for four months.
She was held captive in a castle.
She was arrested and held in custody in a police station.

Example of vocabulary holdkeep

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 your speed at 70.
Interest rates have been held at 8% for a year now.
They are trying to hold public spending to £300 billion.
The company's shares held at £3.47.
In trading today the dollar held steady against the yen.

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.

Example of vocabulary holdon phone

to wait until you can speak to the person you have phoned

That extension is busy right now. Can you hold?
She asked me to hold the line.

Example of vocabulary holdown

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.

Example of vocabulary holdcontrol

to defend something against attack; to have control of something

The rebels held the radio station.

Example of vocabulary holdremain

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.

Example of vocabulary holdopinion

to have a belief or an opinion about somebody/something

He holds strange views on education.
She is held in high regard by her students (= they have a high opinion of her).
to be held in high esteem
He has very firmly held religious beliefs.

to consider that something is true

I still hold that the government's economic policies are mistaken.
Parents will be held responsible for their children's behaviour.
These vases are held to be the finest examples of Greek art.

Example of vocabulary holdroad/course

to be in close contact with the road and easy to control, especially when driven fast

to continue to move in a particular direction

Example of vocabulary holdin music

to make a note continue for a particular time

Example of vocabulary holdalcohol

be able to drink a reasonable amount of alcohol without becoming drunk

I can hold my drink as well as anyone.

Example of vocabulary holdin sport

to win a game in which you are serving

Zverev held serve to take the set.
Halep held to love.

Example of vocabulary holdstop

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)
Give me a hot dog, but hold the (= don't give me any) mustard.