Definition of Held

Adjective: held held

Occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
"enemy-held territory"

Verb: hold (held) hÃ³wld

Cause to remain in a certain state, position, or activity
"hold in place"; "She always held herself as a lady";
- keep, maintain
Have or keep in one's hands or grip
"Hold this bowl for a moment, please"; "A crazy idea took hold of him";
- take hold
Organize or be responsible for
"hold a reception";
- throw, have, make, give
Have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense
"She holds a Master's degree from Harvard";
- have, have got
Keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view
"hold these truths to be self-evident"; "I hold him personally responsible";
- deem, view as, take for
Maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
"hold a resentment";
- harbor [N. Amer], harbour [Brit, Cdn], entertain, nurse
Limit to within certain bounds; physically prevent from moving
"This holds the local until the express passengers change trains"; "About a dozen animals were held inside the stockade"; "The illegal immigrants were held at a detention centre"; "The terrorists held the journalists for ransom";
- restrain, confine
Secure and keep for possible future use or application
"The landlord held the security deposit";
- retain, keep back, hold back
Have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices
"He held the governorship for almost a decade";
- bear
Be the physical support of; carry the weight of
"The beam holds up the roof"; "What's holding that mirror?";
- support, sustain, hold up
Have within
"The canteen holds fresh water";
- bear, carry, contain
Have room for
"The auditorium can't hold more than 500 people";
- accommodate, admit
Remain in a certain state, position, or condition
"The weather held"; "They held on the road and kept marching"
Support or hold in a certain manner
"She holds her head high";
- carry, bear
Be valid, applicable, or true
"This theory still holds";
- prevail, obtain
Assert or affirm
"Rousseau's philosophy holds that people are inherently good"
Have as a major characteristic
"The novel holds many surprises"; "The book holds in store much valuable advise"
Be capable of holding or containing
"The flask holds one gallon";
- contain, take
Arrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in advance
"please hold a table at Maxim's";
- reserve, book
Protect against a challenge or attack
"Hold that position behind the trees!"; "Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks";
- defend, guard
Bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted
"He's held by a contract"; "I'll hold you by your promise";
- oblige, bind, obligate
Hold the attention of
"The soprano held the audience"; "This story held our interest"; "She can hold an audience spellbound"
Remain committed to
"I hold to these ideas"
Resist or confront with resistance
"The bridge held"; "The politician held up public opinion";
- defy, withstand, hold up
Be pertinent, relevant or applicable
"This theory holds for all irrational numbers";
- apply, go for
Stop dealing with
"hold all calls to the President's office while he is in a meeting"
Lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits
"hold your tongue"; "hold in your anger";
- control, hold in, contain, check, curb, moderate
Keep from departing
"Hold the taxi"; "Hold the horse"
Take and maintain control over, often by violent means
"The dissatisfied students held the President's office for almost a week"
Cause to stop
"hold the engines";
- halt, arrest
Cover as for protection against noise or smell
"She held her ears when the jackhammer started to operate"; "hold one's nose"
Drink alcohol without showing ill effects
"He can hold his liquor";
- carry
Aim, point, or direct
"Hold the fire extinguisher directly on the flames"
Judge or state to be
"judge held that the defendant was innocent";
- declare, adjudge
Be in accord; be in agreement
"I hold with those who say life is sacred";
- agree, concur, concord
Keep from exhaling or expelling
"hold your breath"