The noun hold has 9 senses (first 3 from tagged texts)
1. (6) clasp, clench, clutch, clutches, grasp, grip, hold -- (the act of grasping; "he released his clasp on my arm"; "he has a strong grip for an old man"; "she kept a firm hold on the railing")
2. (2) appreciation, grasp, hold -- (understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something; "he has a good grasp of accounting practices")
3. (2) hold -- (power by which something or someone is affected or dominated; "he has a hold over them")
4. delay, hold, time lag, postponement, wait -- (time during which some action is awaited; "instant replay caused too long a delay"; "he ordered a hold in the action")
5. detention, detainment, hold, custody -- (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")
6. hold -- (a stronghold)
7. hold, keep -- (a cell in a jail or prison)
8. handle, grip, handgrip, hold -- (the appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it; "he grabbed the hammer by the handle"; "it was an old briefcase but it still had a good grip")
9. cargo area, cargo deck, cargo hold, hold, storage area -- (the space in a ship or aircraft for storing cargo)
Overview of verb hold
The verb hold has 36 senses (first 33 from tagged texts)
1. (1134) hold, throw, have, make, give -- (organize or be responsible for; "hold a reception"; "have, throw, or make a party"; "give a course")
2. (523) keep, maintain, hold -- (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")
3. (434) hold, take hold -- (have or hold in one's hands or grip; "Hold this bowl for a moment, please"; "A crazy idea took hold of him")
4. (418) restrain, confine, hold -- (to close within bounds, limit or hold back from movement; "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 center"; "The terrorists held the journalists for ransom")
5. (285) bear, hold -- (have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices; "She bears the title of Duchess"; "He held the governorship for almost a decade")
6. (223) have, have got, hold -- (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")
7. (106) deem, hold, view as, take for -- (keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view; "take for granted"; "view as important"; "hold these truths to be self-evident"; "I hold him personally responsible")
8. (104) hold, bear, carry, contain -- (contain or hold; have within; "The jar carries wine"; "The canteen holds fresh water"; "This can contains water")
9. (103) control, hold in, hold, contain, check, curb, moderate -- (lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits; "moderate your alcohol intake"; "hold your tongue"; "hold your temper"; "control your anger")
10. (100) hold -- (remain in a certain state, position, or condition; "The weather held"; "They held on the road and kept marching")
11. (72) harbor, harbour, hold, entertain, nurse -- (maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings); "bear a grudge"; "entertain interesting notions"; "harbor a resentment")
12. (61) hold -- (assert or affirm; "Rousseau's philosophy holds that people are inherently good")
13. (47) hold -- (remain committed to; "I hold to these ideas")
14. (46) retain, hold, keep back, hold back -- (secure and keep for possible future use or application; "The landlord retained the security deposit"; "I reserve the right to disagree")
15. (27) hold, support, sustain, hold up -- (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?")
16. (25) hold -- (hold the attention of; "The soprano held the audience"; "This story held our interest"; "She can hold an audience spellbound")
17. (24) hold -- (keep from exhaling or expelling; "hold your breath")
18. (23) hold, carry, bear -- (support or hold in a certain manner; "She holds her head high"; "He carried himself upright")
19. (19) accommodate, hold, admit -- (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")
20. (18) contain, take, hold -- (be capable of holding or containing; "This box won't take all the items"; "The flask holds one gallon")
21. (17) prevail, hold, obtain -- (be valid, applicable, or true; "This theory still holds")
22. (14) hold -- (take and maintain control over, often by violent means; "The dissatisfied students held the President's office for almost a week")
23. (13) defend, guard, hold -- (protect against a challenge or attack; "Hold that position behind the trees!"; "Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks")
24. (12) declare, adjudge, hold -- (declare to be; "She was declared incompetent"; "judge held that the defendant was innocent")
25. (8) hold -- (have as a major characteristic; "The novel holds many surprises"; "The book holds in store much valuable advise")
26. (8) halt, hold, arrest -- (cause to stop; "Halt the engines"; "Arrest the progress"; "halt the presses")
27. (8) oblige, bind, hold, obligate -- (bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted; "He's held by a contract"; "I'll hold you by your promise")
28. (6) hold -- (cover as for protection against noise or smell; "She held her ears when the jackhammer started to operate"; "hold one's nose")
29. (3) carry, hold -- (drink alcohol without showing ill effects; "He can hold his liquor"; "he had drunk more than he could carry")
30. (2) apply, hold, go for -- (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")
31. (2) reserve, hold, book -- (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")
32. (1) defy, withstand, hold, hold up -- (resist or confront with resistance; "The politician defied public opinion"; "The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear"; "The bridge held")
33. (1) hold -- (keep from departing; "Hold the taxi"; "Hold the horse")
34. hold -- (stop dealing with; "hold all calls to the President's office while he is in a meeting")
35. hold -- (aim, point, or direct; "Hold the fire extinguisher directly on the flames")
36. agree, hold, concur, concord -- (be in accord; be in agreement; "We agreed on the terms of the settlement"; "I can't agree with you!"; "I hold with those who say life is sacred"; "Both philosophers concord on this point")