hold

verb (SUPPORT)

/həʊld/

/hoʊld/ (held, held)

Definition

A2 [T] to take and keep something in your hand or arms: Can you hold the bag while I open the door? He was holding a gun. The little girl held her mother's hand. He held her in his arms. [+ obj + adj ] Could you hold the door open, please? Rosie held out an apple for the horse. All those who agree please hold up their hand (= raise their arm).Having in your hands › [T] to support something: Will the rope be strong enough to hold my weight? Each wheel is held on with four bolts. The parts are held together with glue.Having in your hands hold your nose › to press your nose tightly between thumb and finger in order to close it: I have to hold my nose when I jump into water.Having in your hands hold hands A2 When two people hold hands, one person holds the other person's hand in their hand, especially to show that they love each other: They walked along holding hands. → See also hand in handShowing affectionTouching and feeling

(Definition of hold verb (SUPPORT) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)