Hold Meaning
Hold Definition & Usage
To grasp, carry, or support something with the hands or arms.
Examples
- "She held the baby in her arms, rocking him gently to sleep."
- "He held the door open for her as she walked through."
- "I can't hold all these books; could you help me carry them?"
- "The athlete held his breath before diving into the pool."
- "She held the pen so tightly that her hand began to cramp."
To maintain possession or control over something.
Examples
- "The king held the throne for many years."
- "She holds a position of great influence in the company."
- "He managed to hold the lead in the race despite the pressure."
- "I hold a deep respect for his work in the community."
- "The team managed to hold their opponents off until the final whistle."
To occupy or use space or time for a particular purpose.
Examples
- "I need to hold the line until reinforcements arrive."
- "Could you hold this space for me while I go get my things?"
- "He held the meeting for over an hour, discussing all the points."
- "The concert will hold our attention for the next two hours."
- "I’ve held the weekend for our trip to the mountains."
To have or maintain a particular attitude, belief, or emotion towards something or someone.
Examples
- "He holds a grudge against her for not supporting him."
- "They hold deep respect for their elders in their culture."
- "She still holds hope that things will improve."
- "I hold strong views on the subject of climate change."
- "She holds her childhood memories close to her heart."
To keep a competitive position or lead in a game or contest.
Examples
- "The team held the lead for the entire second half."
- "He held the title of world champion for three years."
- "The runner held her position until the final lap."
- "The goalkeeper managed to hold the score at 0-0."
- "They held onto their victory with all their might."
Cultural Context
The verb 'hold' has a wide range of meanings, making it one of the most versatile verbs in the English language. Its roots in Old English indicate a long history of usage across both literal and figurative contexts. Over time, 'hold' has evolved to encompass a variety of abstract and concrete ideas, ranging from physical control to emotional or mental states.
The Hold of Time
Story
The Hold of Time
One morning, Mark woke up to find himself inexplicably transported to another time—his bedroom, but not his usual one. The clock beside his bed ticked backwards, but when he reached out to stop it, his hand passed right through it. Panic set in, but then, as if in answer, a quiet voice inside him whispered, 'Hold steady.' As Mark grasped the situation, he realized that in this new world, time was something he could control. He could hold it, slow it, or even reverse it—if only he could figure out how to use this newfound gift. In his journey to understand his ability, Mark discovered that time could be both a burden and a blessing, a power to hold or to let go. But as he explored his powers further, he realized that sometimes, holding onto time meant holding onto the past—a past that he had long wanted to forget.
Related Words
