n. a stronghold

n. a cell in a jail or prison

n. power by which something or someone is affected or dominated; "he has a hold over them"

n. understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something; "he has a good grasp of accounting practices"

n. 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"

v. remain committed to; "I hold to these ideas"

v. aim, point, or direct; "Hold the fire extinguisher directly on the flames"

v. declare to be; "She was declared incompetent"; "judge held that the defendant was innocent"

v. bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted; "He's held by a contract"; "I'll hold you by your promise"

v. protect against a challenge or attack; "Hold that position behind the trees!"; "Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks"

v. keep from exhaling or expelling; "hold your breath"

v. 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. support or hold in a certain manner; "She holds her head high"; "He carried himself upright"

v. take and maintain control over, often by violent means; "The dissatisfied students held the President's office for almost a week"

v. maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings); "bear a grudge"; "entertain interesting notions"; "harbor a resentment"

v. 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. secure and keep for possible future use or application; "The landlord retained the security deposit"; "I reserve the right to disagree"

v. 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. have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices; "She bears the title of Duchess"; "He held the governorship for almost a decade"

v. support or hold in a certain manner; "She holds her head high"; "He carried himself upright"

v. be valid, applicable, or true; "This theory still holds"

v. 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. keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., "keep clean"; "hold in place"; "She always held herself as a lady"; "The students keep me on my toes"

v. stop dealing with; "hold all calls to the President's office while he is in a meeting"

v. contain or hold; have within; "The jar carries wine"; "The canteen holds fresh water"; "This can contains water"

v. resist or confront with resistance; "The politician defied public opinion"; "The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear"; "The bridge held"

v. 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. be capable of holding or containing; "This box won't take all the items"; "The flask holds one gallon"

v. the act of holding the opponents; a minor penalty is imposed for it