hold

/hoʊld/
verb
  1. To grasp or carry something using your hands or arms.
    • She held the baby carefully in her arms.
    • He held the trophy above his head in victory.
    • Please hold the bag while I get my keys.
  2. To keep something in a particular position or state.
    • The shelf is held in place by four screws.
    • She held her breath underwater for thirty seconds.
    • Hold the door open for the person behind you.
  3. To have or keep something in your possession or control.
    • The company holds a patent on that technology.
    • Who holds the record for the fastest marathon?
    • He holds a degree in engineering.
  4. To organize or conduct an event or meeting.
    • They held the conference in a large hotel.
    • The school will hold a fundraiser next month.
    • We are holding a meeting to discuss the new policy.
  5. To wait, especially on the telephone.
    • I was put on hold for ten minutes.
    • Can you hold for a moment? I'll check.
    • Please hold while I transfer your call.
  6. To have a particular opinion or belief.
    • Many people hold the belief that hard work leads to success.
    • She holds strong views about environmental protection.
    • I hold that everyone deserves a second chance.
  7. To remain valid or true; to continue to apply.
    • Does your offer still hold?
    • His argument does not hold under close examination.
    • The rule holds for all students, regardless of age.
Antonyms
noun
  1. The act of grasping or gripping something.
    • Keep a firm hold on the leash so the dog doesn't run away.
    • She tightened her hold on the railing.
    • He lost his hold and fell off the ladder.
  2. A way of gripping or controlling someone, especially in wrestling or martial arts.
    • The wrestler put his opponent in a headlock hold.
    • She escaped from his hold and pinned him down.
    • The instructor taught us a new hold for self-defense.
  3. Influence or control over someone or something.
    • The company's hold on the market is weakening.
    • Her fear of failure had a tight hold on her decisions.
    • The cult leader had a powerful hold over his followers.
  4. A delay or pause, especially in a process or schedule.
    • The project is on hold until we get more funding.
    • Weather conditions put the flight on hold.
    • The game was put on hold due to lightning.
  5. The cargo area of a ship or aircraft.
    • The hold was filled with supplies for the island.
    • The cargo was stored in the ship's hold.
    • They loaded the boxes into the hold of the plane.
Synonyms
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