Hold

1. to have or keep in the hand; keep fast; grasp: She held the purse in her right hand. He held the child's hand in his. 2. to set aside; reserve or retain: to hold merchandise until called for; to hold a reservation. 3. to bear, sustain, or support, as with the hands or arms, or by any other means. 4. to keep in a specified state, relation, etc.: The preacher held them spellbound. 5. to detain: The police held him at the station house. 6. to engage in; preside over; carry on: to hold a meeting. 7. to keep back from action; hinder; restrain: Fear held him from acting. 8. to have the ownership or use of; keep as one's own; occupy: to hold political office. 9. to contain or be capable of containing: This bottle holds a quart. 10. to bind or make accountable to an obligation: We will hold you to your promise to pay back the money. 11. to have or keep in the mind; think or believe: We hold this belief. 12. to regard or consider: to hold a person responsible. 13. to decide legally. 14. to consider of a certain value; rate: We held her best of all the applicants. 15. to keep forcibly, as against an adversary: Enemy forces held the hill. 16. to point, aim, or direct: He held a gun on the prisoner. The firefighter held a hose on the blaze. 17. Music. to sustain (a note, chord, or rest). 18. to omit from the usual order or combination: Give me a burger well-done—hold the pickle.