held

held · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    Past tense and past participle of "hold"; grasped, carried, or supported.

  2. 2.

    Kept in a particular position or state.

  3. 3.

    Organized or conducted (an event or meeting).

  4. 4.

    Maintained or retained.

  5. 5.

    Believed or considered.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    held back — restrained or prevented from advancing
  • •
    held up — delayed or robbed at gunpoint
  • •
    held accountable — made responsible for something
  • •
    held in high regard — greatly respected

Related words

Antonyms: dropped, let go, released
See also: grasp, hold, keep, maintain
Synonyms: clutched, grasped, gripped, maintained

Etymology

From Old English "healdan" (to hold, possess, keep), from Proto-Germanic "*haldaną." The irregular past tense "held" (from earlier "heold") reflects the strong verb conjugation pattern common in Germanic languages.