hold
Looking for the meaning of hold? Explore definitions, parts of speech, and usage examples below.
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A grasp or grip.
“Keep a firm hold on the handlebars.”
An act or instance of holding.
“Can I have a hold of the baby?”
A place where animals are held for safety
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.”
Something reserved or kept.
“We have a hold here for you.”
Power over someone or something.
The ability to persist.
The property of maintaining the shape of styled hair.
A position or grip used to control the opponent.
“He got him in a tight hold and pinned him to the mat.”
(exercise) An exercise involving holding a position for a set time
The percentage the house wins on a gamble, the house or bookmaker's hold.
“The House Hold on the game is 10,000, this is the amount of decision or risk the house wishes to assume.”
The wager amount, the total hold.
“As of Monday night the total Melbourne Cup hold was $848,015”
An instance of holding one's service game, as opposed to being broken.
The part of an object one is intended to grasp, or anything one can use for grasping with hands or feet.
A fruit machine feature allowing one or more of the reels to remain fixed while the others spin.
A pause facility.
The queueing system on telephones and similar communication systems which maintains a connection when all lines are busy.
A statistic awarded to a relief pitcher who is not still pitching at the end of the game and who records at least one out and maintains a lead for his team.
A region of airspace reserved for aircraft being kept in a holding pattern.
To grasp or grip.
“Hold the pencil like this.”
To contain or store.
“This package holds six bottles.”
(heading) To maintain or keep to a position or state.
(heading) To maintain or keep to particular opinions, promises, actions.
To win one's own service game.
To take place, to occur.
To organise an event or meeting (usually in passive voice).
“Elections will be held on the first Sunday of next month.”
To derive right or title.
In a food or drink order at an informal restaurant etc., requesting that a component normally included in that order be omitted.
“A martini, please, and hold the olive.”
To be in possession of illicit drugs for sale.
Understanding "hold"
The word **"hold"** is a **noun** in the English language. It is phonetically pronounced as **/həʊld/**. Explore the detailed meaning, morphological structure, and usage examples for **"hold"** in our dictionary below.
The English language is incredibly vast, and diving into the definition of the word "hold" provides a perfect example of its linguistic depth. Categorized primarily as a noun, the term "hold" holds specific syntactical roles within a sentence, allowing speakers and writers to convey precise meaning. Understanding how this word functions is an excellent step towards mastering advanced English vocabulary and improving overall reading comprehension.
For those looking to perfect their spoken English, noting the phonetic pronunciation of "hold" is crucial. It is typically transcribed as /həʊld/. Proper enunciation ensures that your intended message is received clearly, preventing miscommunication in both formal and casual settings. Linguistic scholars often track the phonological evolution of words like "hold" to understand broader historical shifts in dialects and accents across different English-speaking populations.
When deciding how to use "hold" in everyday communication, it helps to look at exactly how it operates as a noun. In professional writing, academic essays, and creative literature, choosing the perfect vocabulary word can drastically elevate the tone of the text. Because "hold" carries its own unique connotations and denotations, swapping it for a simpler synonym might dilute the impact of your sentence.
Our comprehensive dictionary tool is designed to provide immediate, reliable definitions for thousands of terms, including "hold". By consistently exploring the nuances of vocabulary—including phonetics (/həʊld/), part of speech (noun), and usage examples—you can significantly expand your linguistic repertoire. Bookmark this page as a quick reference tool whenever you encounter "hold" in reading materials or wish to incorporate it into your active vocabulary.
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How do I use hold in a sentence?
Refer to the usage examples above to see how "hold" can be used in academic and casual conversations.