A bond or force that attaches or restrains, or by which something is affected or dominated: a writer with a strong hold on her readership.
from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
A control or adjustor on a television that keeps the screen image in proper position: adjusted the horizontal hold.
from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
A direction or indication that something is to be reserved or deferred.
from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
A manner of grasping an opponent, as in wrestling or aikido: a neck hold; an arm hold.
from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
A prison cell.
from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
idiom
Get hold of To come into possession of; find: Where can I get hold of a copy?.
from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
Get hold of To communicate with, as by telephone: tried to get hold of you but the line was busy.
from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
Get hold of To gain control of. Often used reflexively: You must get hold of yourself!.
from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
Hold sway To have a controlling influence; dominate.
from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
Hold the bag Informal To be forced to assume total responsibility when it ought to have been shared.
from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
phrasal-verb
Hold back To impede the progress of.
from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
Hold back To restrain oneself.
from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
Hold down To fulfill the duties of (a job): holds down two jobs.
from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
Hold down To limit: Please hold the noise down.
from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
Hold forth To talk at great length.
from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
verb-transitive
To adjudge or decree: The court held that the defendant was at fault.
from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
To aim or direct; point: held a hose on the fire.
from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene: held a meeting of the board.
from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
To assert or affirm, especially formally: This doctrine holds that people are inherently good.
from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
To avoid letting out or expelling: The swimmer held her breath while underwater.
from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
verb-intransitive
To be valid, applicable, or true: The observation still holds in cases like this.
from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
To continue in the same direction: The ship held to an easterly course.
from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
To halt an intended action. Often used in the imperative.
from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
To have legal right or title. Often used with of or from.
from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
To maintain a desired or accustomed position or condition: hopes the weather will hold.
from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
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