n.

1. the act of grasping;
   clasp, clench, clutch, clutches, grasp, grip
   
   • he released his clasp on my arm
   • he has a strong grip for an old man
   • she kept a firm hold on the railing
2. understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something;
   appreciation, grasp
   
   • he has a good grasp of accounting practices
3. power by which something or someone is affected or dominated
   
   • he has a hold over them
4. time during which some action is awaited;
   delay, time lag, postponement, wait
   
   • instant replay caused too long a delay
   • he ordered a hold in the action
5. a state of being confined (usually for a short time);
   detention, detainment, custody
   
   • his detention was politically motivated
   • the prisoner is on hold
   • he is in the custody of police
6. a stronghold
7. a cell in a jail or prison;
   keep
8. the appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it;
   handle, grip, handgrip
   
   • he grabbed the hammer by the handle
   • it was an old briefcase but it still had a good grip
9. the space in a ship or aircraft for storing cargo;
   cargo area, cargo deck, cargo hold, storage area

v.

1. organize or be responsible for;
   throw, have, make, give
   
   • hold a reception
   • have, throw, or make a party
   • give a course
2. keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., "keep clean";
   keep, maintain
   
   • hold in place
   • She always held herself as a lady
   • The students keep me on my toes
3. have or hold in one's hands or grip;
   take hold
   
   • Hold this bowl for a moment, please
   • A crazy idea took hold of him
4. to close within bounds, limit or hold back from movement;
   restrain, confine
   
   • 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
5. have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices;
   bear
   
   • She bears the title of Duchess
   • He held the governorship for almost a decade
6. have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense;
   have, have got
   
   • She has $1,000 in the bank
   • He has got two beautiful daughters
   • She holds a Master's degree from Harvard
7. keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view;
   deem, view as, take for
   
   • take for granted
   • view as important
   • hold these truths to be self-evident
   • I hold him personally responsible
8. contain or hold; have within;
   bear, carry, contain
   
   • The jar carries wine
   • The canteen holds fresh water
   • This can contains water
9. lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits;
   control, hold in, contain, check, curb, moderate
   
   • moderate your alcohol intake
   • hold your tongue
   • hold your temper
   • control your anger
10. remain in a certain state, position, or condition
    
    • The weather held
    • They held on the road and kept marching
11. maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings);
    harbor, harbour, entertain, nurse
    
    • bear a grudge
    • entertain interesting notions
    • harbor a resentment
12. assert or affirm
    
    • Rousseau's philosophy holds that people are inherently good
13. remain committed to
    
    • I hold to these ideas
14. secure and keep for possible future use or application;
    retain, keep back, hold back
    
    • The landlord retained the security deposit
    • I reserve the right to disagree
15. be the physical support of; carry the weight of;
    support, 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?
16. hold the attention of
    
    • The soprano held the audience
    • This story held our interest
    • She can hold an audience spellbound
17. keep from exhaling or expelling
    
    • hold your breath
18. support or hold in a certain manner;
    carry, bear
    
    • She holds her head high
    • He carried himself upright
19. have room for; hold without crowding;
    accommodate, admit
    
    • This hotel can accommodate 250 guests
    • The theater admits 300 people
    • The auditorium can't hold more than 500 people
20. be capable of holding or containing;
    contain, take
    
    • This box won't take all the items
    • The flask holds one gallon
21. be valid, applicable, or true;
    prevail, obtain
    
    • This theory still holds
22. take and maintain control over, often by violent means
    
    • The dissatisfied students held the President's office for almost a week
23. protect against a challenge or attack;
    defend, guard
    
    • Hold that position behind the trees!
    • Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks
24. declare to be;
    declare, adjudge
    
    • She was declared incompetent
    • judge held that the defendant was innocent
25. have as a major characteristic
    
    • The novel holds many surprises
    • The book holds in store much valuable advise
26. cause to stop;
    halt, arrest
    
    • Halt the engines
    • Arrest the progress
    • halt the presses
27. bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted;
    oblige, bind, obligate
    
    • He's held by a contract
    • I'll hold you by your promise
28. cover as for protection against noise or smell
    
    • She held her ears when the jackhammer started to operate
    • hold one's nose
29. drink alcohol without showing ill effects;
    carry
    
    • He can hold his liquor
    • he had drunk more than he could carry
30. be pertinent or relevant or applicable;
    apply, go for
    
    • The same laws apply to you!
    • This theory holds for all irrational numbers
    • The same rules go for everyone
31. arrange for and reserve  (something for someone else) in advance;
    reserve, book
    
    • 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
32. resist or confront with resistance;
    defy, withstand, hold up
    
    • The politician defied public opinion
    • The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear
    • The bridge held
33. keep from departing
    
    • Hold the taxi
    • Hold the horse
34. stop dealing with
    
    • hold all calls to the President's office while he is in a meeting
35. aim, point, or direct
    
    • Hold the fire extinguisher directly on the flames
36. be in accord; be in agreement;
    agree, concur, 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