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hold
/hoʊld/
to grasp or support something
She held the door open for the elderly man.
She grasped the door and kept it open to help the elderly man.
informal
to grasp or support something with one's hands
He held the baby carefully.
He grasped the baby gently to support it.
Commonly used in everyday contexts.
informal
to keep something in a particular position or state
Please hold the line while I transfer your call.
Wait on the phone while I connect you to another person.
Often used in communication contexts.
Business
formal
to organize or conduct an event or gathering
The company will hold a meeting next Monday.
The company will organize a meeting next Monday.
Used in professional and formal settings.
Law
formal
to have or maintain possession of something
The defendant holds the deed to the property.
The defendant legally owns the property.
Used in legal contexts to describe ownership.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Usage
'Hold' is often used with prepositions like 'on', 'up', and 'back' to form phrasal verbs with distinct meanings.
Gold Rule
Context Matters
The meaning of 'hold' can vary significantly based on the context, so pay attention to the surrounding words and situation.
Word Origin
Old English 'healdan', meaning to keep, guard, or possess.
Usage Notes
The verb 'hold' is highly versatile and can be used in various contexts, from physical actions to abstract concepts like organizing events or maintaining possession.
Word Breakdown
hold
to grasp or support
rootEnglish Dictionary