holding Meaning, Definition & Usage
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noun the act of retaining something
keeping; retention.
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noun something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone;
belongings; property.
- that hat is my property
- he is a man of property
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verb keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., "keep clean"
hold; maintain; keep.
- hold in place
- She always held herself as a lady
- The students keep me on my toes
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verb have or hold in one's hands or grip
take hold; hold.
- Hold this bowl for a moment, please
- A crazy idea took hold of him
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verb organize or be responsible for
make; hold; throw; have; give.
- hold a reception
- have, throw, or make a party
- give a course
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verb have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense
hold; have got; have.
- She has $1,000 in the bank
- He has got two beautiful daughters
- She holds a Master's degree from Harvard
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verb keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view
take for; hold; deem; view as.
- take for granted
- view as important
- hold these truths to be self-evident
- I hold him personally responsible
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verb maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
harbor; entertain; nurse; hold; harbour.
- bear a grudge
- entertain interesting notions
- harbor a resentment
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verb to close within bounds, limit or hold back from movement
hold; confine; restrain.
- This 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
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verb secure and keep for possible future use or application
retain; keep back; hold; hold back.
- The landlord retained the security deposit
- I reserve the right to disagree
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verb have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices
hold; bear.
- She bears the title of Duchess
- He held the governorship for almost a decade
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verb be the physical support of; carry the weight of
support; hold; sustain; hold up.
- The beam holds up the roof
- He supported me with one hand while I balanced on the beam
- What's holding that mirror?
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verb contain or hold; have within
carry; hold; bear; contain.
- The jar carries wine
- The canteen holds fresh water
- This can contains water
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verb have room for; hold without crowding
accommodate; admit; hold.
- This hotel can accommodate 250 guests
- The theater admits 300 people
- The auditorium can't hold more than 500 people
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verb remain in a certain state, position, or condition
hold.
- The weather held
- They held on the road and kept marching
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verb support or hold in a certain manner
carry; hold; bear.
- She holds her head high
- He carried himself upright
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verb be valid, applicable, or true
hold; prevail; obtain.
- This theory still holds
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verb assert or affirm
hold.
- Rousseau's philosophy holds that people are inherently good
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verb have as a major characteristic
hold.
- The novel holds many surprises
- The book holds in store much valuable advise
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verb be capable of holding or containing
hold; take; contain.
- This box won't take all the items
- The flask holds one gallon
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verb arrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in advance
hold; book; reserve.
- reserve me a seat on a flight
- The agent booked tickets to the show for the whole family
- please hold a table at Maxim's
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verb protect against a challenge or attack
defend; hold; guard.
- Hold that position behind the trees!
- Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks
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verb bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted
oblige; bind; obligate; hold.
- He's held by a contract
- I'll hold you by your promise
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verb hold the attention of
hold.
- The soprano held the audience
- This story held our interest
- She can hold an audience spellbound
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verb remain committed to
hold.
- I hold to these ideas
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verb resist or confront with resistance
withstand; defy; hold; hold up.
- The politician defied public opinion
- The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear
- The bridge held
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verb be pertinent or relevant or applicable
apply; hold; go for.
- The same laws apply to you!
- This theory holds for all irrational numbers
- The same rules go for everyone
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verb stop dealing with
hold.
- hold all calls to the President's office while he is in a meeting
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verb lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits
control; moderate; hold in; curb; contain; hold; check.
- moderate your alcohol intake
- hold your tongue
- hold your temper
- control your anger
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verb keep from departing
hold.
- Hold the taxi
- Hold the horse
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verb take and maintain control over, often by violent means
hold.
- The dissatisfied students held the President's office for almost a week
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verb cause to stop
arrest; hold; halt.
- Halt the engines
- Arrest the progress
- halt the presses
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verb cover as for protection against noise or smell
hold.
- She held her ears when the jackhammer started to operate
- hold one's nose
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verb drink alcohol without showing ill effects
carry; hold.
- He can hold his liquor
- he had drunk more than he could carry
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verb aim, point, or direct
hold.
- Hold the fire extinguisher directly on the flames
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verb declare to be
hold; adjudge; declare.
- She was declared incompetent
- judge held that the defendant was innocent
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verb be in accord; be in agreement
hold; concur; agree; concord.
- We 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
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verb keep from exhaling or expelling
hold.
- hold your breath
WordNet
Hold"ing noun
Definitions
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The act or state of sustaining, grasping, or retaining. -
A tenure; a farm or other estate held of another. -
That which holds, binds, or influences. Burke. -
The burden or chorus of a song. Obs. Shak.