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⏸️ To reserve 🤲 To carry ✋ To control 🛑 To stay unchanged 🧠 To believe 📅 To organize 👑 To have authority 🧴 To contain 🪢 Influence 🚢 A storage space 👐 A tight grip ⏳ A pause ⚖️ To decide legally 🎯 To aim 👀 To captivate 🍻 To drink easily
to hold

to hold

∞ 1.4
To remain true or valid in a situation
  • verb
  • /hoʊld/
: mantenerse
  • I think she will probably hold her ground on this front.
  • hold true
  • hold steady
  • hold together

The pattern did not hold, it was one shorter.

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Examples

  • The numbers are holding steady.

    Broken City (2013)

  • Even that holds no terror for me now.

    Hitler's Children (1943)

  • However, as a general rule, the relationship holds and is supported by these findings.

    Academic text (2012)

  • We'll then find out if our predictions of the past hold up in the future.

    Academic text (2011)

  • Today, increasingly, higher education holds faculty accountable for providing evidence of actual student learning.

    Academic text (2015)

  • In many ways, media literacy education holds the same promises initially attributed to science education.

    Academic text (2011)

  • Although this statement is almost 10 years old, it still holds true today, with few exceptions.

    Academic text (2008)

  • The present study provided empirical support for the widely held belief that preschool parent involvement is important.

    Academic text (2008)

  • For all that, though, music taken as a whole holds hints of eternity, of permanence.

    Academic text (2011)

  • The numbers are holding steady as we approach the final quarter of the year.

Synonyms

to keep
vsto hold
∞ 1.0

To continue doing something or stay in the same state

is the general act of keeping a state steady or unchanged
to remain
vsto hold
∞ 1.0

To stay in the same place or state and not change

is about maintaining a steady state rather than simply existing there
to stand
vsto hold
∞ 1.0

To remain in effect

is the broader idea of keeping any condition unchanged, not just stillness
to maintain
vsto hold
∞ 3.1

Keep an activity, quality, or schedule going over time

is the simpler idea of remaining steady without active management
to apply
vsto hold
559 2.0

Be relevant to a person, group, or situation

concerns an unchanged state rather than relevance or suitability
to hold to
vsto hold
365 3.5

To stay loyal to a promise, plan or belief

applies to keeping a steady state, not only loyalty or belief
to hold on
vsto hold
330 1.6

To keep something instead of selling or giving it away

concerns remaining in a steady state rather than possession specifically
to balance
vsto hold
286 2.0

To keep something steady so it does not fall

is the general notion of remaining steady, not only equilibrium
to hold up
vsto hold
237 3.7

To remain strong or effective under pressure

is about keeping a steady state rather than surviving external stress
to continue
vsto hold
214 1.0

To stay in the same job or role

focuses on sustaining a steady state rather than motion or action
to hold onto
vsto hold
196 3.0

To keep something and not let it go

focuses on steady condition rather than owning or grasping objects
to withstand
vsto hold
138 4.2

To resist strong or harmful force without breaking

is the general persistence of a state rather than resisting force
to go for
vsto hold
111 3.4

To be true for someone or something

is about remaining steady rather than fitting or applying
to hold steady
vsto hold
54 2.9

Keep something or someone in place and still

is broader, applying to any steady condition beyond physical stability
to hold down
vsto hold
21 3.9

To keep a job or position during difficult times

is the general idea of an unchanged state, not specifically employment survival
to retain
vsto hold
19 3.0

To hold something inside so it does not escape

is about maintaining a state rather than physical containment
to stay in place
vsto hold
19 1.5

Not move from a place

is the wider idea of staying steady in state or condition
to hold fast
vsto hold
17 5.5

To stay firmly attached to something or keep believing strongly in an idea

is the neutral idea of remaining steady without strong attachment
to prevail
vsto hold
16 5.3

To continue to exist and be used or accepted over time

is the immediate act of staying steady rather than long survival
to hold open
vsto hold
7 3.7

Keep something available while you delay a final decision

is general steadiness rather than specifically preserving future choices
to hold over
vsto hold
5 4.6

To keep something for use or sale after its planned time

is about steady condition rather than delaying or extending timing
to stand pat
vsto hold
4 7.9

To keep the same opinion or decision and not change it

is the neutral act of maintaining a steady state, not stubbornness

Antonyms

to change
∞ 1.0

To make something or someone different

to abandon
607 3.1

Leave someone or something behind permanently and without care

Idioms

on hold
163 2.5

Stopped for a short time until someone decides to continue

to hold on a second
  • Informal
107 1.2

Ask someone to wait for a short time

to hold a grudge
  • Informal
35 4.8

To feel angry at someone for something they did in the past that hurt you

don't hold your breath
  • Informal
12 8.1

Do not expect it to happen soon or at all

to hold the bag
  • Informal
12 8.8

End up responsible for the blame or a problem others avoid

to hold the cards
  • Informal
11 6.1

To have control or an advantage in a situation

to hold the phone
  • Informal
10 8.2

Tell someone to wait so you can check or explain something

to hold someone's feet to the fire
  • Informal
10 8.1

Make someone do what they promised or take responsibility by pressuring them

to hold all the cards
  • Informal
8 5.5

To have complete control and a strong advantage in a situation

speak now or forever hold your peace
  • Formal
7 8.5

Ask anyone who objects to speak now or be silent forever

to hold the reins
  • Informal
3 4.9

To be in control of a group or business

hold my beer
  • Slang
2 9.9

A joking way to say you will try something daring or foolish after someone else does

to hold the floor
2 6.1

Keep speaking for a long time in a meeting so others cannot speak

too hot to hold
  • Informal
1 7.6

So popular that people buy it very quickly

to hold the ring
1 6.8

Keep a wedding ring safely until it is needed in the ceremony

to hold the baby
  • Informal
1 8.8

To have the only responsibility for a hard problem when others avoid it

to hold one's nose
  • Informal
1 7.5

To do something unpleasant because it is necessary

to hold one's own
  • Informal
1 5.0

Do as well as others in a difficult situation

to hold my alcohol
  • Informal
1 9.0

To drink alcohol without becoming very drunk or sick

to hold one's tongue
  • Informal
1 5.4

To stay silent to avoid saying something rude

to hold one's drink
  • Informal
8.1

To be able to drink alcohol without getting drunk

to hold one's horses
  • Informal
7.2

Tell someone to wait and be patient

to hold one's water
  • Informal
9.7

To keep from peeing for a while

to hold one's head high
  • Informal
4.4

Act proudly and confidently, not ashamed

to hold my alcohol
  • Slang
9.9

A joking request to someone to hold your drink before doing something daring

to hold one's alcohol
  • Informal
7.8

Drink alcohol without getting drunk

to hold up one's end of the bargain
  • Informal
4.4

Do what you promised in an agreement

to hold with the hare and run with the hounds
  • Informal
9.9

To support two opposite sides at the same time to please both

Phrasal Verbs

to hold on
  • Informal
∞ 1.3

To wait for a short time during a phone call

to hold to
365 3.5

To stay loyal to a promise, plan or belief

to hold on
330 1.6

To keep something instead of selling or giving it away

to hold someone's hand
  • Informal
313 2.8

To comfort and guide someone who feels anxious or unsure

to hold up
237 3.7

To remain strong or effective under pressure

to get hold
  • UK
213 3.2

To contact a person or obtain something you need

to hold onto
196 3.0

To keep something and not let it go

to hold out
194 3.7

To refuse to give up until you get what you want

to hold up
188 3.4

To support the weight of something so it does not fall

to hold together
170 3.4

Keep parts or people joined and working as one

to hold up
161 2.8

To cause a delay in plans or progress

to hold on
145 2.0

To keep a strong grip on something so it does not fall

to hold back
141 3.2

Stop someone or something from moving forward

to hold tight
  • Informal
127 2.2

Grab something firmly with your hands to stay safe

to hold back
116 3.5

Wait before doing something because you feel unsure

to get hold of
104 2.5

To take something in your hand

to hold out
102 3.5

To put a hand forward to show or give something

to hold off
99 3.8

To wait before doing something

to hold down
88 3.2

To keep something low and stop it from getting bigger

to get hold of
87 3.0

To reach someone by phone or message

to hold back
86 4.2

Keep yourself from showing feelings or telling others

to hold on
82 3.3

To keep trying and not give up when things are hard

to hold off
78 4.0

To stop an opponent from moving forward by keeping your position

to hold in
65 4.5

To stop yourself from showing strong feelings

to hold back
58 3.2

Keep something for later use

to hold steady
54 2.9

Keep something or someone in place and still

to hold fire
44 5.6

To stop shooting or attacking and wait before taking action

to hold off on
41 4.2

To wait before doing something

to hold close
38 1.4

Keep a person or thing tightly against your body

to hold dear
37 3.5

To care about someone or something very much

to hold up
34 3.7

To show someone as an example to praise or admire

to take hold
33 3.8

To begin to control a situation or people's actions

to take hold of
32 3.1

Grab something or someone with your hands

to hold it together
  • Informal
26 5.6

Stay calm and control your feelings in a difficult situation

to hold in contempt
26 7.8

To feel strong dislike and no respect for someone or something

to hold the line
22 5.4

To refuse to change a decision or rule under pressure

to hold that thought
  • Informal
22 6.7

Ask someone to wait before saying more about an idea

to hold down
21 3.9

To keep a job or position during difficult times

to get hold of
20 3.4

To feel a strong emotion suddenly that controls you

to take hold
20 2.0

To grasp something with your hands

to hold down the fort
  • Informal
19 4.5

Take care of a place or job while someone is away

to hold up
  • NSFW
18 5.8

To rob someone using a weapon or threats

to hold water
17 4.9

To make sense and seem believable when checked

to hold fast
17 5.5

To stay firmly attached to something or keep believing strongly in an idea

to hold firm
14 4.5

To refuse to change your opinion or decision despite pressure

to hold sway
13 6.6

To have power over people or situations

to hold down a job
12 3.7

To keep a job for a long time despite problems

to hold up to
11 4.1

Be as good as people expect

to hold court
10 7.4

To get people to listen and enjoy what you say

to hold over
9 7.2

To threaten someone with secret information to make them obey

to hold over someone's head
8 8.1

To threaten someone with a past mistake to control them

to hold memories
7 3.5

To make you think about the past because of an object or place

to hold open
7 3.7

Keep something available while you delay a final decision

to hold up your end
  • Informal
7 5.8

Do your share of the work in a group

to hold out
6 3.9

To last long enough when supplies or power are low

to hold forth
5 7.4

Talk for a long time about a subject, like giving a lecture

to hold over
5 4.6

To keep something for use or sale after its planned time

to hold with
5 8.3

To agree with an idea or way of doing things

to hold the line
5 3.7

To wait on the phone without hanging up

to hold up to scrutiny
2 5.3

To still be correct when people look at it carefully

to hold onto someone's dreams
1 4.8

To keep trying to reach a goal even when things are hard

to hold a patent
  • Specialized
1 4.8

To have the right given by the government to make or sell an invention

to hold alcohol
  • Informal
1 6.8

Can drink alcohol without getting drunk quickly

to hold the line
1 5.1

To keep prices or spending at the same level

to hold cheap
  • Literature
1 7.2

To think someone or something has little value

to hold one's breath
1 4.1

To stop breathing for a short time or wait anxiously

to hold still for
  • Informal
1 7.5

Allow something unpleasant without complaining

to hold a light
1 3.4

To keep a light near someone so they can see what they are doing

to hold back one's laughter
3.7

To stop yourself from making a sound when something is funny

to hold one's nerve
  • Informal
5.5

To stay calm and in control during a difficult situation

to hold over one's head
7.7

To keep reminding someone of a past mistake to control them

Compounds

taking hold
34 3.9

A process in which an idea or habit starts to be accepted by many people

cargo hold
18 3.9

A space on a ship or plane that contains goods during transport

hand-hold
12 4.8

A thing you can hold for support, or simple help for someone new

hold-up
8 5.4

A robbery using threats or a sudden delay

choke hold
  • NSFW
6 7.5

A tight arm around someone's neck from behind to stop them moving or make them pass out

wrestling hold
  • Specialized
1 4.7

A grip or move used to control an opponent in a match

scissor hold
  • Jargon
1 7.8

A position where someone wraps their legs around an opponent's body or head and presses their feet together to squeeze

hold-up play
  • Jargon
1 5.9

A way a player keeps the ball to let teammates move forward

hold-down
1 7.0

A rule that limits how much something can rise

taking hold
1 4.1

A firm grip with the hands or arms that keeps something from moving

major hold-up
4.1

A big delay that stops or slows progress

scissors hold
  • Jargon
8.1

A wrestler wraps their legs around someone's body or head and squeezes them with the feet

How Stable

to endure
46 3.6
to persist
80 3.5
to hold
∞ 1.4
to remain
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

hold infinitive
holding present participle
holds third person singular
held past
held past participle

Etymology

Hold comes from Old English healdan, which could mean 'to remain' or 'keep', and that is why we say a rule or idea still 'holds' when it stays true or unchanged.