{
    "term": "hold",
    "partOfSpeech": "verb",
    "ox3000": true,
    "cefr": "a2",
    "verbForms": {
        "presentSimple": {
            "iYouWeThey": "hold",
            "heSheIt": "holds"
        },
        "pastSimple": "held",
        "pastParticiple": "held",
        "ingForm": "holding"
    },
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "to have somebody/something in your hand, arms, etc.",
            "sensetop": "hold somebody/somethinghold somebody/something + adv./prep.",
            "cefr": "a2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "She was holding a large box.",
                    "contextForm": "hold somebody/something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "They were **holding hands** *(= the right hand of one person holding the left hand of the other)*."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I held the mouse by its tail.",
                    "contextForm": "hold somebody/something + adv./prep."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The girl held her father's hand tightly."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He was holding the baby in his arms."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The winning captain held the trophy in the air."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The lovers held each other close."
                },
                {
                    "text": "A man holding a map beckoned to me."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The person holding most cards when the time limit is reached is the winner."
                },
                {
                    "text": "People were holding banners and placards as they stood outside the building."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Each woman held a bottle in her hand."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The family made a circle, held hands, and bowed their heads."
                },
                {
                    "text": "It had started to rain, so several people held umbrellas over me."
                },
                {
                    "text": "They walked along the street, holding hands."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I held the baby gently in my arms."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He held her by the shoulders."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adverb": ["firmly", "securely", "tightly"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "to put your hand on part of your body, usually because it hurts",
            "sensetop": "hold somethinghold something + adv./prep.",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "She groaned and held her head.",
                    "contextForm": "hold something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The prisoner held his head in his hands.",
                    "contextForm": "hold something + adv./prep."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She started to dance, holding her hands rapturously to her chest."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 3,
            "definition": "to keep somebody/something in a particular position",
            "sensetop": "hold something + adv./prep.hold something + adj.",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Hold your head up.",
                    "contextForm": "hold something + adv./prep."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Hold this position for a count of 10."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The wood is held in position by a clamp."
                },
                {
                    "text": "People held handkerchiefs over their mouths."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I had to hold my stomach in *(= pull the muscles flat)* to zip up my jeans."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I'll hold the door open for you.",
                    "contextForm": "hold something + adj."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 4,
            "definition": "to support the weight of somebody/something",
            "sensetop": "hold somebody/something",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I don't think that branch will hold your weight."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She let him hold most of her weight as he led her upstairs."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Several pieces of wood joined together can hold more weight than just one piece."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 5,
            "definition": "to have enough space for something/somebody; to contain something/somebody",
            "sensetop": "hold something/somebody",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "This barrel holds 25 litres."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The plane holds about 300 passengers."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The inner box holds the cheese and has holes in it."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Each 180-litre container will hold up to three black bags of rubbish."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 6,
            "definition": "to have or offer something; to be going to bring something",
            "sensetop": "hold something",
            "cefr": "b2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I don't know what the **future holds**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "This research **holds the key** to understanding life."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 7,
            "definition": "to have a meeting, competition, conversation, etc.",
            "sensetop": "hold something",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Each month she **holds a meeting** with her entire staff."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The British Foreign Minister **held talks** with the leaders of the two countries."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He has already **held discussions** with Irish shareholders."
                },
                {
                    "text": "It's impossible to hold a conversation with all this noise."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The next **conference will be held** in Ohio."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The country is **holding** its first free **elections** for 20 years."
                },
                {
                    "text": "to **hold an event/a party/a competition**"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The premiere was held in the Four Seasons Hotel."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The Lisburn Social Club is holding a special Mother's Day lunch next Sunday."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Special events are held annually as part of a fund-raising strategy."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The Prime Minister announced his intention to hold a referendum."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She held a garden party to celebrate the artist's 60th birthday."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The meeting will be held in the community centre."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Working life"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 8,
            "definition": "to have something you have gained or achieved",
            "sensetop": "hold something",
            "cefr": "b2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Who **holds the** world **record** for the long jump?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "She held the title of world champion for three years."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Success"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 9,
            "definition": "to have a particular job or position",
            "sensetop": "hold something",
            "cefr": "b2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "How long has he **held office**?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Mrs Thatcher **held the post** of prime minister longer than anyone else last century."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Men still **hold** most **positions** of power in this country."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The company has held the advertising contract since 2019."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The professor will **hold a seat** on the advisory board."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Labour's John Taylor and Mary Smith both held seats in this constituency."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 10,
            "definition": "to keep somebody and not allow them to leave",
            "sensetop": "hold somebodyhold somebody + noun",
            "cefr": "b2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Police are holding two men in connection with last Thursday's bank raid.",
                    "contextForm": "hold somebody"
                },
                {
                    "text": "He was **held prisoner** for two years.",
                    "contextForm": "hold somebody + noun"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Eight people were **held hostage** for four months."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She was held captive in a castle."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She was arrested and **held in custody** in a police station."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Crime and punishment"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 11,
            "definition": "to keep somebody’s attention or interest",
            "sensetop": "hold something",
            "cefr": "b2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "There wasn't much in the museum to hold my attention."
                },
                {
                    "text": "These discussions held little interest for Lucy."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 12,
            "definition": "to keep something at the same level, rate, speed, etc.; to stay at the same level, rate, etc.",
            "sensetop": "hold something (at something)hold something to somethinghold at something",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Hold your speed at 70.",
                    "contextForm": "hold something (at something)"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Interest rates have been held at 8% for a year now."
                },
                {
                    "text": "They are trying to hold public spending to £300 billion.",
                    "contextForm": "hold something to something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The company's shares held at £3.47.",
                    "contextForm": "hold at something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "In trading today the dollar **held steady** against the yen."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 13,
            "definition": "to keep something so that it can be used later",
            "sensetop": "hold something",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Employees do not have access to personal records held on computer."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Our solicitor holds our wills."
                },
                {
                    "text": "We can hold your reservation for three days."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 14,
            "definition": "to wait until you can speak to the person you have phoned",
            "sensetop": "hold the line",
            "cefr": "b2",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "That extension is busy right now. Can you hold?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "She asked me to hold the line.",
                    "contextForm": "hold the line"
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Phones, email and the internet"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 15,
            "definition": "to own or have something",
            "sensetop": "hold something",
            "labels": "(rather formal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Employees hold 30% of the shares."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He was born in South Africa but he holds a British passport."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Applicants must hold a full driving licence."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 16,
            "definition": "to defend something against attack; to have control of something",
            "sensetop": "hold something",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The rebels held the radio station."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 17,
            "definition": "to remain strong and safe or in position",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "They were afraid the dam wouldn't hold."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 18,
            "definition": "to remain the same",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "How long will the fine weather hold?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "If their luck holds, they could still win the championship."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 19,
            "definition": "to have a belief or an opinion about somebody/something",
            "sensetop": "hold somethinghold somebody/something + adv./prep./adj.",
            "cefr": "b2",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "He **holds** strange **views** on education.",
                    "contextForm": "hold something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "She is **held in high regard** by her students *(= they have a high opinion of her)*.",
                    "contextForm": "hold somebody/something + adv./prep./adj."
                },
                {
                    "text": "to be **held in high esteem**"
                },
                {
                    "text": "He has very firmly held religious beliefs."
                },
                {
                    "text": "deeply held religious beliefs"
                },
                {
                    "text": "privately held views"
                },
                {
                    "text": "This view is not widely held."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Opinion and argument"],
            "collocations": {
                "adverb": ["commonly", "widely", "deeply"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 20,
            "definition": "to consider that something is true",
            "sensetop": "hold that…hold somebody/something + adj.be held to be something",
            "labels": "(formal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I still hold that the government's economic policies are mistaken.",
                    "contextForm": "hold that…"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Parents will be **held responsible** for their children's behaviour.",
                    "contextForm": "hold somebody/something + adj."
                },
                {
                    "text": "These vases are held to be the finest examples of Greek art.",
                    "contextForm": "be held to be something"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 21,
            "definition": "to be in close contact with the road and easy to control, especially when driven fast",
            "sensetop": "hold the road",
            "cefr": "c2",
            "examples": [],
            "topics": ["Transport by car or lorry"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 22,
            "definition": "to continue to move in a particular direction",
            "sensetop": "hold a course",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 23,
            "definition": "to make a note continue for a particular time",
            "sensetop": "hold something",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 24,
            "definition": "be able to drink a reasonable amount of alcohol without becoming drunk",
            "sensetop": "hold your drink",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I can hold my drink as well as anyone."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 25,
            "definition": "to win a game in which you are serving",
            "sensetop": "hold (your) serve",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Zverev held serve to take the set.",
                    "contextForm": "hold (your) serve"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Halep held to love."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 26,
            "definition": "used to tell somebody to stop doing something or not to do something",
            "sensetop": "hold something",
            "labels": "(North American English, informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Hold your fire! *(= don't shoot)*"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Hold the front page! *(= don't print it until a particular piece of news is available)*"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Give me a hot dog, but hold the *(= don't give me any)* mustard."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to be true",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The same argument does not hold good in every case."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to ask somebody to wait, or not to move",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Hold it a second—I don't think everyone's arrived yet."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to hold somebody/something very tightly because you are afraid",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "a person cannot be prevented from doing something",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Once she gets on to the subject of politics there's no holding her."
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/həʊld/",
                "audio": "ho/hold/hold__gb_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/həʊldz/",
                "audio": "ho/hold/holds__gb_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/held/",
                "audio": "he/hold/held__gb_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈhəʊldɪŋ/",
                "audio": "ho/hold/holding__gb_2.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/həʊld/",
                "audio": "ho/hold/hold__us_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/həʊldz/",
                "audio": "ho/hold/holds__us_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/held/",
                "audio": "he/hold/held__us_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈhəʊldɪŋ/",
                "audio": "ho/hold/holding__us_2.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "verb Old English haldan, healdan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch houden and German halten; the noun is partly from Old Norse hald ‘hold, support, custody’."
}