Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
cargo hold

cargo hold

16 3.9
A space on a ship or plane that contains goods during transport
  • noun
  • /ˈkɑrɡoʊ hoʊld/
translation icon : bodega
  • The crew inspected the cargo hold to ensure all items were securely stored.
  • the cargo hold of the ship
  • the cargo hold of a flight
  • door to the cargo hold

So when it detonated, instead of blowing up, it started smoldering and it started burning in the cargo hold.

Examples

  • During the flight, the cargo hold was checked for any potential leaks.

  • We have a security breach in the cargo hold.

    The Fate of the Furious (2017)

  • We're in the cargo hold of a ship.

    Stargate: Continuum (2008)

  • Then, search the entire cargo hold.

    Chupacabra Terror (2005)

  • Your plane is where you left it, in the cargo hold.

    This Island Earth (1955)

  • I hid it down in the cargo hold.

    The Good Humor Man (2005)

  • Someone just stole a museum exhibit from a cargo hold.

    Blue Streak (1999)

  • Kincaid says they were probably caught inside the cargo hold in the explosion.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • Kylona came in through the hatch leading to the cargo hold.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • We were halfway to Buenos Aires when a bomb went off in the cargo hold.

    Fiction book (1992)

Synonyms

bay
vscargo hold
309 4.3

A section inside a vehicle, ship, or building used for a special purpose

is the built area mainly for carrying cargo during transport rather than general sections
hold
vscargo hold
187 4.6

A space where people or things are kept

is the specific part of ship or aircraft meant solely for cargo transport
compartment
vscargo hold
150 3.3

A small separate space inside a bigger thing where you keep things

is a built area mainly for carrying cargo during transport rather than general divisions
storage area
vscargo hold
11 2.0

A space in a ship or plane where cargo is kept

is the specific built section for carrying cargo during transport
cargo area
vscargo hold
5 3.6

Part of a ship, plane, or vehicle where goods are stored

is the specific built section for carrying cargo during transport
cargo deck
vscargo hold
1 3.7

A floor on a ship or plane where people put goods

is the enclosed lower space used to store cargo during transport
forehold
vscargo hold
  • Specialized
1 9.7

A storage space near the front of a ship for cargo

is a general built compartment for storing cargo during transport
stowage
vscargo hold
  • Specialized
1 7.7

A space on a ship or vehicle for keeping supplies

is the specific built section for carrying cargo during transport

How Big

cargo area
5 3.6
cargo deck
1 3.7
cargo hold
16 3.9

Surface Forms

cargo hold singular
cargo holds plural

Morphology

cargo + hold

The meaning is directly and compositionally derived from 'cargo' (items transported) + 'hold' (a storage area), so a learner who knows both words can infer it refers to the storage area for cargo on a ship or aircraft. This noun–noun compound follows a common and cross-linguistically familiar pattern, making it immediately comprehensible to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Cargo hold comes from a simple picture: cargo means the goods and a hold is the large space inside a ship or plane that 'holds' them. That's why cargo hold means the part of a ship or plane where goods are kept during a journey.