hold
noun
həʊld 
hoʊld with hand
1 [singular, uncountable] the action of holding somebody/something; the way you are holding somebody/somethingSynonym
gripHis hold on her arm tightened.She tried to keep hold of the child's hand.Make sure you've got a steady hold on the camera.in sport
2 [countable] a particular way of holding somebody, especially in a sport such as wrestling or in a fightThe wrestler put his opponent into a head hold.The exercise called for the recruits to get out of various holds.power/control
3 [singular] hold (on/over somebody/something) influence, power or control over somebody/somethingWhat she knew about his past gave her a hold over him.He struggled to get a hold of his anger. see also strangleholdin climbing
4 [countable] a place where you can put your hands or feet when climbingShe put her foot firmly in the hold and pulled herself up. see also foothold, handhold, toeholdon ship/plane
5 [countable] the part of a ship or plane where the goods being carried are storedIdioms
catch, get, grab, take, etc. (a) hold of somebody/something
to have or take somebody/something in your hands
He caught hold of her wrists so she couldn't get away.Lee got hold of the dog by its collar.Quick, grab a hold of that rope.Gently, she took hold of the door handle and turned it.get hold of somebody
to contact or find somebody
Where have you been? I've been trying to get hold of you all day.Eventually, we got hold of Dan in New York.Do you know where I can get hold of a good plumber?get hold of something
1 to find something that you want or needI need to get hold of Tom's address.It's almost impossible to get hold of tickets for the final.The police do not know how the boy got hold of the knife.How did the press get hold of the story?2 to learn or understand somethingno holds barred
with no rules or limits on what somebody is allowed to do
There will be no holds barred in his interview with the president this evening.on hold
1 delayed until a later time or dateShe put her career on hold to have a baby.The project is on hold until more money is available.The department has placed its plans on hold pending the results of the elections.2 if a person on the telephone is put on hold, they have to wait until the person that they want to talk to is free: (British English) I'll just pop you on hold.take (a) hold
to begin to have complete control over somebody/something; to become very strong
Panic took hold of him and he couldn't move.They got out of the house just before the flames took hold.It is best to treat the disease early before it takes a hold.