(n) clasp , clench , clutch , clutches , grasp , grip , hold (the act of grasping) "he released his clasp on my arm"; "he has a strong grip for an old man"; "she kept a firm hold on the railing"
(n) appreciation , grasp , hold (understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something) "he has a good grasp of accounting practices"
(n) hold (power by which something or someone is affected or dominated) "he has a hold over them"
(n) delay , hold, time lag , postponement , wait (time during which some action is awaited) "instant replay caused too long a delay"; "he ordered a hold in the action"
(n) detention , detainment , hold, custody (a state of being confined (usually for a short time)) "his detention was politically motivated"; "the prisoner is on hold"; "he is in the custody of police"
(n) handle , grip , handgrip , hold (the appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it) "he grabbed the hammer by the handle"; "it was an old briefcase but it still had a good grip"
(v) hold, take hold (have or hold in one's hands or grip) "Hold this bowl for a moment, please"; "A crazy idea took hold of him"
(v) restrain , confine , hold (to close within bounds, limit or hold back from movement) "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"
(v) bear , hold (have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices) "She bears the title of Duchess"; "He held the governorship for almost a decade"
(v) have , have got , hold (have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense) "She has $1,000 in the bank"; "He has got two beautiful daughters"; "She holds a Master's degree from Harvard"
(v) deem , hold, view as , take for (keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view) "take for granted"; "view as important"; "hold these truths to be self-evident"; "I hold him personally responsible"
(v) hold, bear , carry , contain (contain or hold; have within) "The jar carries wine"; "The canteen holds fresh water"; "This can contains water"
(v) control , hold in , hold, contain , check , curb , moderate (lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits) "moderate your alcohol intake"; "hold your tongue"; "hold your temper"; "control your anger"
(v) hold (remain in a certain state, position, or condition) "The weather held"; "They held on the road and kept marching"
(v) harbor , harbour , hold, entertain , nurse (maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)) "bear a grudge"; "entertain interesting notions"; "harbor a resentment"
(v) hold (assert or affirm) "Rousseau's philosophy holds that people are inherently good"
(v) hold (remain committed to) "I hold to these ideas"
(v) retain , hold, keep back , hold back (secure and keep for possible future use or application) "The landlord retained the security deposit"; "I reserve the right to disagree"
(v) hold, support , sustain , hold up (be the physical support of; carry the weight of) "The beam holds up the roof"; "He supported me with one hand while I balanced on the beam"; "What's holding that mirror?"
(v) hold (hold the attention of) "The soprano held the audience"; "This story held our interest"; "She can hold an audience spellbound"
(v) hold (keep from exhaling or expelling) "hold your breath"
(v) hold, carry , bear (support or hold in a certain manner) "She holds her head high"; "He carried himself upright"
(v) accommodate , hold, admit (have room for; hold without crowding) "This hotel can accommodate 250 guests"; "The theater admits 300 people"; "The auditorium can't hold more than 500 people"
(v) contain , take , hold (be capable of holding or containing) "This box won't take all the items"; "The flask holds one gallon"
(v) prevail , hold, obtain (be valid, applicable, or true) "This theory still holds"
(v) hold (take and maintain control over, often by violent means) "The dissatisfied students held the President's office for almost a week"
(v) defend , guard , hold (protect against a challenge or attack) "Hold that position behind the trees!"; "Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks"
(v) declare , adjudge , hold (declare to be) "She was declared incompetent"; "judge held that the defendant was innocent"
(v) hold (have as a major characteristic) "The novel holds many surprises"; "The book holds in store much valuable advise"
(v) halt , hold, arrest (cause to stop) "Halt the engines"; "Arrest the progress"; "halt the presses"
(v) oblige , bind , hold, obligate (bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted) "He's held by a contract"; "I'll hold you by your promise"
(v) hold (cover as for protection against noise or smell) "She held her ears when the jackhammer started to operate"; "hold one's nose"
(v) carry , hold (drink alcohol without showing ill effects) "He can hold his liquor"; "he had drunk more than he could carry"
(v) apply , hold, go for (be pertinent or relevant or applicable) "The same laws apply to you!"; "This theory holds for all irrational numbers"; "The same rules go for everyone"
(v) reserve , hold, book (arrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in advance) "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"
(v) defy , withstand , hold, hold up (resist or confront with resistance) "The politician defied public opinion"; "The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear"; "The bridge held"
(v) hold (keep from departing) "Hold the taxi"; "Hold the horse"
(v) hold (stop dealing with) "hold all calls to the President's office while he is in a meeting"
(v) hold (aim, point, or direct) "Hold the fire extinguisher directly on the flames"
(v) agree , hold, concur , concord (be in accord; be in agreement) "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"