Cambridge Cambridge English Dictionaries Online, the web's favourite learner dictionaries
  • Link to us
  • View basket
  • Help

Definition
hold2   Show phonetics
noun
1 WITH HANDS [C] when you hold something or someone, or the way you do this
Keep a tight hold on your tickets.

2 catch/grab/take, etc hold of sth/sb to start holding something or someone
He tried to escape, but I grabbed hold of his jacket.

3 get hold of sth/sb to obtain something, or to manage to speak to someone
I got hold of a copy at the local library.
I rang three times, but couldn't get hold of her.

4 on hold

a DO IN FUTURE If a plan or activity is on hold, it will not be done until a later time.
The project is on hold until we get more money.

b TELEPHONE waiting to speak to someone on the telephone
His secretary put me on hold.

5 keep hold of sth to keep something
Keep hold of this. You might need it later.

6 hold on/over sth/sb power or control over something or someone
Their company has a strong hold on the computer market.

7 SPACE [C] an area on a ship or aircraft for storing things
a cargo hold
See also: get (hold of) the wrong end of the stick

The first and last word in dictionaries