English dictionary



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English noun: hold

1. hold (act) the act of grasping


SamplesHe released his clasp on my arm.
He has a strong grip for an old man.
She kept a firm hold on the railing.


Synonymsclasp, clench, clutch, clutches, grasp, grip


Broader (hypernym)grasping, prehension, seizing, taking hold


Narrower (hyponym)choke hold, chokehold, embrace, embracement, embracing, wrestling hold

2. hold (cognition) understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something


SamplesHe has a good grasp of accounting practices.


Synonymsappreciation, grasp


Broader (hypernym)apprehension, discernment, savvy, understanding


Narrower (hyponym)sense

3. hold (attribute) power by which something or someone is affected or dominated


SamplesHe has a hold over them.


Broader (hypernym)control

4. hold (time) time during which some action is awaited


SamplesInstant replay caused too long a delay.
He ordered a hold in the action.


Synonymsdelay, postponement, time lag, wait


Broader (hypernym)break, intermission, interruption, pause, suspension


Narrower (hyponym)extension, moratorium, retardation

5. hold (state) a state of being confined (usually for a short time)


SamplesHis detention was politically motivated.
The prisoner is on hold.
He is in the custody of police.


Synonymscustody, detainment, detention


Broader (hypernym)confinement

6. hold (artifact) a stronghold


Broader (hypernym)fastness, stronghold


Domain usagearchaicism, archaism

7. hold (artifact) a cell in a jail or prison


Synonymskeep


Broader (hypernym)cell, jail cell, prison cell

8. hold (artifact) the appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it


SamplesHe grabbed the hammer by the handle.
It was an old briefcase but it still had a good grip.


Synonymsgrip, handgrip, handle


Broader (hypernym)appendage


Narrower (hyponym)ax handle, axe handle, broom handle, broomstick, crop, gunstock, haft, helve, hilt, hoe handle, knob, mop handle, panhandle, pommel, pommel, rake handle, saddlebow, stock, stock


Part holonymshank, stem


Part meronymaspergill, aspersorium, baggage, baseball bat, bat, briefcase, brush, carpet beater, carrycot, cart, cheese cutter, coffee cup, coffeepot, cricket bat, cutlery, eating utensil, edge tool, faucet, French telephone, frying pan, frypan, go-cart, hand tool, handbarrow, handcart, handlebar, handset, ladle, luggage, lumber, mug, pushcart, racket, racquet, rug beater, saucepan, skillet, spatula, spigot, teacup, umbrella, watering can, watering pot

9. hold (artifact) the space in a ship or aircraft for storing cargo


Synonymscargo area, cargo deck, cargo hold, storage area


Broader (hypernym)enclosure


Part meronymship


English verb: hold

1. hold (stative) keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g.,


SamplesKeep clean.
Hold in place.
She always held herself as a lady.
The students keep me on my toes.


Synonymskeep, maintain


Pattern of useSomething ----s something Adjective/Noun.
Somebody ----s somebody PP.
Somebody ----s something PP


Narrower (hyponym)bear on, carry on, conserve, continue, distance, hold over, housekeep, preserve, preserve, pressurise, pressurize, uphold

2. hold (contact) have or hold in one's hands or grip


SamplesHold this bowl for a moment, please.
A crazy idea took hold of him.


ExamplesThey want to hold the prisoners


Synonymstake hold


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody.
Something ----s somebody.
Something ----s something


Narrower (hyponym)clinch, cling to, clutch, cradle, cradle, grasp, hold close, hold on, hold tight, interlace, interlock, lock, trap


Antonymslet go, let go of, release, relinquish

3. hold (creation) organize or be responsible for


SamplesHold a reception.
Have, throw, or make a party.
Give a course.


Synonymsgive, have, make, throw


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)direct

4. hold (possession) have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense


SamplesShe has $1,000 in the bank.
He has got two beautiful daughters.
She holds a Master's degree from Harvard.


Synonymshave, have got


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody.
Something ----s something


Narrower (hyponym)bear, carry, carry, exert, hold, hold on, keep, keep, keep, keep, keep, maintain, maintain, maintain, monopolise, monopolize, stock, stockpile, sustain, wield


Verb groupfeature, have

5. hold (cognition) keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view


SamplesTake for granted.
View as important.
Hold these truths to be self-evident.
I hold him personally responsible.


Synonymsdeem, take for, view as


Pattern of useSomething ----s something Adjective/Noun.
Somebody ----s somebody something.
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE


Broader (hypernym)consider, reckon, regard, see, view


Verb grouphold

6. hold (emotion) maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)


SamplesBear a grudge.
Entertain interesting notions.
Harbor a resentment.


Synonymsentertain, harbor, harbour, nurse


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)experience, feel

7. hold (contact) to close within bounds, limit or hold back from movement


SamplesThis holds the local until the express passengers change trains.
About a dozen animals were held inside the stockade.
The illegal immigrants were held at a detention center.
The terrorists held the journalists for ransom.


Synonymsconfine, restrain


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody.
Something ----s somebody.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)disable, disenable, incapacitate


Narrower (hyponym)bind, enchain, fetter, fold, ground, impound, pen up, pinion, pound, pound, pound up, shackle, shackle, tie down, tie up, truss

8. hold (possession) secure and keep for possible future use or application


SamplesThe landlord retained the security deposit.
I reserve the right to disagree.


ExamplesThey hold the money


Synonymshold back, keep back, retain


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)hold on, keep


Narrower (hyponym)hold down

9. hold (possession) have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices


SamplesShe bears the title of Duchess.
He held the governorship for almost a decade.


Synonymsbear


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)have, have got, hold

10. hold (contact) be the physical support of; carry the weight of


SamplesThe beam holds up the roof.
He supported me with one hand while I balanced on the beam.
What's holding that mirror?.


Synonymshold up, support, sustain


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody.
Something ----s somebody.
Something ----s something


Narrower (hyponym)block, brace, bracket, buoy, buoy up, carry, chock, pole, prop, prop up, scaffold, shore, shore up, truss, underpin

11. hold (stative) contain or hold; have within


SamplesThe jar carries wine.
The canteen holds fresh water.
This can contains water.


ExamplesThey hold the animals


Synonymsbear, carry, contain


Pattern of useSomething ----s something


Broader (hypernym)include


Narrower (hyponym)confine, enclose, hold in, retain


Verb groupcontain, hold, take

12. hold (stative) have room for; hold without crowding


SamplesThis hotel can accommodate 250 guests.
The theater admits 300 people.
The auditorium can't hold more than 500 people.


Synonymsaccommodate, admit


Pattern of useSomething ----s somebody.
Something ----s something


Narrower (hyponym)house, seat, sleep


Verb groupcontain, hold, take

13. hold (stative) remain in a certain state, position, or condition


SamplesThe weather held.
They held on the road and kept marching.


Pattern of useSomething ----s.
Somebody ----s PP


Broader (hypernym)continue, go along, go on, keep, proceed

14. hold (contact) support or hold in a certain manner


SamplesShe holds her head high.
He carried himself upright.


Synonymsbear, carry


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Narrower (hyponym)acquit, balance, bear, behave, carry, comport, conduct, deport, piggyback, poise, sling, stoop

15. hold (stative) be valid, applicable, or true


SamplesThis theory still holds.


Synonymsobtain, prevail


Pattern of useSomething ----s


Broader (hypernym)be, exist

16. hold (cognition) assert or affirm


SamplesRousseau's philosophy holds that people are inherently good.


ExamplesThey hold that there was a traffic accident


Pattern of useSomebody ----s that CLAUSE


Broader (hypernym)affirm, assert, aver, avow, swan, swear, verify


Verb groupdeem, hold, take for, view as

17. hold (stative) have as a major characteristic


SamplesThe novel holds many surprises.
The book holds in store much valuable advise.


Pattern of useSomething ----s something


Broader (hypernym)be

18. hold (stative) be capable of holding or containing


SamplesThis box won't take all the items.
The flask holds one gallon.


Synonymscontain, take


Pattern of useSomething ----s something


Broader (hypernym)be


Verb groupaccommodate, admit, bear, carry, contain, hold, hold

19. hold (social) arrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in advance


SamplesReserve me a seat on a flight.
The agent booked tickets to the show for the whole family.
Please hold a table at Maxim's.


Synonymsbook, reserve


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)bespeak, call for, quest, request


Narrower (hyponym)hold open, keep, keep open, save


Entailprocure, secure


Verb groupreserve

20. hold (competition) protect against a challenge or attack


SamplesHold that position behind the trees!.
Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks.


Synonymsdefend, guard


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)protect


Verb grouphold

21. hold (communication) bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted


SamplesHe's held by a contract.
I'll hold you by your promise.


Synonymsbind, obligate, oblige


Pattern of useSomebody ----s somebody.
Something ----s somebody.
Somebody ----s somebody to INFINITIVE


Broader (hypernym)relate


Narrower (hyponym)article, indent, indenture, pledge, tie down

22. hold (cognition) hold the attention of


SamplesThe soprano held the audience.
This story held our interest.
She can hold an audience spellbound.


Pattern of useSomebody ----s somebody.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)becharm, beguile, bewitch, captivate, capture, catch, charm, enamor, enamour, enchant, entrance, fascinate, trance

23. hold (cognition) remain committed to


SamplesI hold to these ideas.


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s PP


Broader (hypernym)believe, conceive, consider, think

24. hold (stative) resist or confront with resistance


SamplesThe politician defied public opinion.
The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear.
The bridge held.


Synonymsdefy, hold up, withstand


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)hold out, resist, stand firm, withstand


Narrower (hyponym)brave, brave out, endure, weather

25. hold (stative) be pertinent or relevant or applicable


SamplesThe same laws apply to you!.
This theory holds for all irrational numbers.
The same rules go for everyone.


Synonymsapply, go for


Pattern of useSomething ----s.
Something is ----ing PP


Broader (hypernym)bear on, come to, concern, have-to doe with, pertain, refer, relate, touch, touch on


Verb groupapply, lend oneself

26. hold (stative) stop dealing with


SamplesHold all calls to the President's office while he is in a meeting.


Pattern of useSomething ----s something


Broader (hypernym)defer, hold over, postpone, prorogue, put off, put over, remit, set back, shelve, table

27. hold (social) lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits


SamplesModerate your alcohol intake.
Hold your tongue.
Hold your temper.
Control your anger.


Synonymscheck, contain, control, curb, hold in, moderate


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)hold back, keep, keep back, restrain


Narrower (hyponym)abnegate, bate, bound, catch, confine, conquer, counteract, countercheck, crucify, curb, damp, deny, inhibit, limit, mortify, restrain, restrict, restrict, stamp down, subdue, subdue, suppress, thermostat, throttle, train, trammel

28. hold (social) keep from departing


SamplesHold the taxi.
Hold the horse.


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)keep, prevent

29. hold (social) take and maintain control over, often by violent means


SamplesThe dissatisfied students held the President's office for almost a week.


Pattern of useSomebody ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)command, control


Verb groupdefend, guard, hold

30. hold (motion) cause to stop


SamplesHalt the engines.
Arrest the progress.
Halt the presses.


ExamplesThey hold the animals


Synonymsarrest, halt


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody.
Something ----s somebody.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)stop

31. hold (contact) cover as for protection against noise or smell


SamplesShe held her ears when the jackhammer started to operate.
Hold one's nose.


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)cover

32. hold (consumption) drink alcohol without showing ill effects


SamplesHe can hold his liquor.
He had drunk more than he could carry.


Synonymscarry


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)booze, drink, fuddle

33. hold (competition) aim, point, or direct


SamplesHold the fire extinguisher directly on the flames.


Pattern of useSomebody ----s somebody PP


Broader (hypernym)aim, direct, take, take aim, train

34. hold (communication) declare to be


SamplesShe was declared incompetent.
Judge held that the defendant was innocent.


Synonymsadjudge, declare


Pattern of useSomething ----s something Adjective/Noun.
Somebody ----s somebody something


Broader (hypernym)evaluate, judge, pass judgment


Narrower (hyponym)acknowledge, admit, bastardise, bastardize, beatify, call, cancel, canonise, canonize, certify, formalise, formalize, judge, label, pronounce, saint, strike down, superannuate

35. hold (communication) be in accord; be in agreement


SamplesWe agreed on the terms of the settlement.
I can't agree with you!.
I hold with those who say life is sacred.
Both philosophers concord on this point.


Synonymsagree, concord, concur


Pattern of useSomebody ----s.
Somebody ----s on something.
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE.
Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE


Narrower (hyponym)arrange, concede, conciliate, conclude, fix up, grant, make up, patch up, reconcile, resolve, see eye to eye, settle, settle, subscribe, support, yield


Verb groupagree


Antonymsdisagree, take issue, differ, dissent

36. hold (body) keep from exhaling or expelling


SamplesHold your breath.


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)hold back, keep, keep back, restrain









Based on WordNet 3.0 copyright © Princeton University.
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