1
as in ruling
a decision made by a court or tribunal regarding a case it has heard
the court's holding was based on an interpretation of the First Amendment
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2
as in possession
usually holdings plural
transportable items that one owns
the museum's holdings of ancient manuscripts are among the rarest in the world
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1
as in clutching
to have or keep in one's hands
this casserole dish is too hot to hold, so grab a potholder
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2
as in keeping
to continue to have in one's possession or power
she, and she alone, held the keys to the mysterious chest
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3
as in thinking
to have as an opinion
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal"
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4
as in containing
to have within
the mysterious chest held an ancient book on magic spells and potions
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5
as in having
to keep in one's mind or heart
still held her close to his heart, though they had long parted
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6
as in owning
to keep, control, or experience as one's own
the same family has held this piece of land for over 100 years
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7
as in accommodating
to make or have room for
the couple needed to rent a hall that would hold 300 people
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8
as in grasping
to reach for and take hold of by embracing with the fingers or arms
please hold my arm on these slippery stairs
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9
as in considering
to think of in a particular way
held to be the best blueberry pies in the state
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10
as in controlling
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)
we managed to hold our laughter until we got outside hold your temper until you hear the whole story
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11
as in aiming
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal
held the camera on the actor throughout the scene
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Cite this Entry
“Holding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.
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