Keep vs. Hold
Difference Between Keep and Hold
Keepverb
To retain possession of
kept the change.must keep your composure.Holdverb
To have and keep in one's grasp
held the reins tightly.Keepverb
To have as a supply
keep spare parts in case of emergency.Holdverb
To aim or direct; point
held a hose on the fire.Keepverb
To provide (a family, for example) with maintenance and support
"There's little to earn and many to keep" (Charles Kingsley).Holdverb
To keep from falling or moving; support
a nail too small to hold the mirror.hold the horse steady.papers that were held together with staples.Keepverb
To support (a mistress or lover) financially.
Holdverb
To sustain the pressure of
The old bridge can't hold much weight.Keepverb
To put customarily; store
Where do you keep your saw?.Holdverb
To keep from departing or getting away
Hold the bus! Hold the dog until I find the leash.Keepverb
To supply with room and board for a charge
keep boarders.Holdverb
To keep in custody
held the suspect for questioning.Keepverb
To raise
keep chickens.Holdverb
To retain (one's attention or interest)
Televised sports can't hold my interest.Keepverb
To maintain for use or service
an urbanite who didn't keep a car.Holdverb
To avoid letting out or expelling
The swimmer held her breath while underwater.Keepverb
To manage, tend, or have charge of
Keep the shop while I'm away.Holdverb
To be filled by; contain
This drawer holds socks.Keepverb
To preserve (food).
Holdverb
To be capable of holding
a pitcher that holds a quart.Keepverb
To cause to continue in a state, condition, or course of action
tried to keep the patient calm.Holdverb
To have as a chief characteristic or quality
The film holds many surprises.Keepverb
To maintain records or entries in
keep a yearly diary.Holdverb
To have in store
Let's see what the future holds.Keepverb
To enter (data) in a book
keep financial records.Holdverb
To have and maintain in one's possession
holds a great deal of property.Keepverb
To detain
was kept after school.Holdverb
To have as a responsible position or a privilege
held the governorship for six years.Keepverb
To restrain
kept the child away from the stove.kept the crowd back with barriers.Holdverb
To have in recognition of achievement or superiority
holds the record for the one-mile race.holds the respect of her peers.Keepverb
To prevent or deter
tried to keep the ice from melting.Holdverb
To maintain control over
Thieves held the stolen painting for ransom.Keepverb
To refrain from divulging
keep a secret.Holdverb
To maintain occupation of by force or coercion
Protesters held the embassy for a week.Keepverb
To save; reserve
keep extra money for emergencies.Holdverb
To withstand the efforts or advance of (an opposing team, for example).
Keepverb
To adhere or conform to; follow
keep late hours.Holdverb
To maintain in a given condition, situation, or action
The storyteller held the crowd spellbound.Keepverb
To be faithful to; fulfill
keep one's word.Holdverb
To impose control or restraint on; curb
She held her temper.Keepverb
To celebrate; observe
keep the Sabbath.Holdverb
To stop the movement or progress of
Hold the presses!.Keepverb
To remain in a state or condition; stay
keep in line.keep quiet.kept well.Holdverb
To reserve or keep back from use
Please hold two tickets for us. Hold the relish on that hamburger.Keepverb
To continue to do
keep on talking.keep guessing.Holdverb
To defer the immediate handling of
The receptionist held all calls during the meeting.Keepverb
To remain fresh or unspoiled
The dessert won't keep.Holdverb
To own or have title to.
Keepverb
To restrain oneself; hold oneself back
I couldn't keep from eavesdropping.Holdverb
To be in possession of, whether legally entitled or not
holds an interest in the company.Keepnoun
Care; charge
The child is in my keep for the day.Holdverb
To bind by a contract.
Keepnoun
The means by which one is supported
earn one's keep.Holdverb
To adjudge or decree
The court held that the defendant was at fault.Keepnoun
The stronghold of a castle.
Holdverb
To make accountable; obligate
He held me to my promise.Keepnoun
A jail.
Holdverb
To keep in the mind or convey as a judgment, conviction, or point of view
holds that this economic program is the only answer to high prices.Keepverb
To continue in (a course or mode of action); not to intermit or fall from; to uphold or maintain.
to keep silence;to keep one's word;to keep possessionHoldverb
To assert or affirm, especially formally
This doctrine holds that people are inherently good.Keepverb
To hold the status of something.
Holdverb
To regard in a certain way
I hold you in high esteem.Keepverb
To maintain possession of.
I keep a small stock of painkillers for emergencies.Holdverb
To cause to take place; carry on
held the race in Texas.hold a yard sale.Keepverb
To maintain the condition of.
I keep my specimens under glass to protect them.The abundance of squirrels kept the dogs running for hours.Holdverb
To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene
held a meeting of the board.Keepverb
(transitive) To record transactions, accounts, or events in.
I used to keep a diary.Holdverb
To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position
Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.Keepverb
(transitive) To enter (accounts, records, etc.) in a book.
Holdverb
To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection
held my nose against the stench.Keepverb
(archaic) To remain in, to be confined to.
Holdverb
To maintain a grasp or grip on something.
Keepverb
To restrain.
Holdverb
To stay securely fastened
The chain held.Keepverb
(with from) To watch over, look after, guard, protect.
May the Lord keep you from harm.Holdverb
To maintain a desired or accustomed position or condition
hopes the weather will hold.Keepverb
To supply with necessities and financially support a person.
He kept a mistress for over ten years.Holdverb
To withstand stress, pressure, or opposition
The defense held. We held firm on the negotiations.Keepverb
(of living things) To raise; to care for.
He has been keeping orchids since retiring.Holdverb
To continue in the same direction
The ship held to an easterly course.Keepverb
To maintain (an establishment or institution); to conduct; to manage.
Holdverb
To be valid, applicable, or true
The observation still holds in cases like this.Keepverb
To have habitually in stock for sale.
Holdverb
To halt an intended action. Often used in the imperative.
Keepverb
To hold or be held in a state.
Holdverb
To stop the countdown during a missile or spacecraft launch.
Keepverb
(obsolete) To reside for a time; to lodge; to dwell.
She kept to her bed while the fever lasted.Holdverb
(Slang) To have in one's possession illicit or illegally obtained material or goods, especially narcotics
The suspect was holding.Keepverb
To continue.
I keep taking the tablets, but to no avail.Holdnoun
The act or a means of grasping.
Keepverb
To remain edible or otherwise usable.
Potatoes can keep if they are in a root cellar.Latex paint won't keep indefinitely.Holdnoun
A manner of grasping an opponent, as in wrestling or aikido
a neck hold.an arm hold.Keepverb
(copulative) To remain in a state.
The rabbit avoided detection by keeping still.Keep calm! There's no need to panic.Holdnoun
Something that may be grasped or gripped, as for support.
Keepverb
(obsolete) To wait for, keep watch for.
Holdnoun
A control or adjustor on a television that keeps the screen image in proper position
adjusted the horizontal hold.Keepverb
To act as wicket-keeper.
Godfrey Evans kept for England for many years.Holdnoun
A telephone service that allows one to temporarily interrupt a call without severing the connection.
Keepverb
To take care; to be solicitous; to watch.
Holdnoun
A bond or force that attaches or restrains, or by which something is affected or dominated
a writer with a strong hold on her readership.Keepverb
To be in session; to take place.
School keeps today.Holdnoun
Complete control
has a firm hold on the complex issues.Keepverb
(transitive) To observe; to adhere to; to fulfill; not to swerve from or violate.
Holdnoun
Full understanding
has a good hold on physics.Keepverb
To confine oneself to; not to quit; to remain in.
to keep one's house, room, bed, etc.Holdnoun
The sustaining of a note longer than its indicated time value.
Keepverb
To visit (a place) often; to frequent.
Holdnoun
The symbol designating this pause; a fermata.
Keepnoun
(obsolete) Care, notice
Holdnoun
A direction or indication that something is to be reserved or deferred.
Keepnoun
(historical) The main tower of a castle or fortress, located within the castle walls.
Holdnoun
A temporary halt, as in a countdown.
Keepnoun
The food or money required to keep someone alive and healthy; one's support, maintenance.
He works as a cobbler's apprentice for his keep.Holdnoun
A prison cell.
Keepnoun
The act or office of keeping; custody; guard; care; heed; charge.
Holdnoun
The state of being in confinement; custody.
Keepnoun
The state of being kept; hence, the resulting condition; case.
to be in good keepHoldnoun
(Archaic) A fortified place; a stronghold.
Keepnoun
(obsolete) That which is kept in charge; a charge.
Holdnoun
The lower interior part of a ship or airplane where cargo is stored.
Keepnoun
(engineering) A cap for holding something, such as a journal box, in place.
Holdverb
(transitive) To grasp or grip.
Hold the pencil like this.Keepnoun
the financial means whereby one lives;
each child was expected to pay for their keephe applied to the state for supporthe could no longer earn his own livelihoodHoldverb
(transitive) To contain or store.
This package holds six bottles.Keepnoun
the main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress
Holdverb
(heading) To maintain or keep to a position or state.
Keepnoun
a cell in a jail or prison
Holdverb
(transitive) To have and keep possession of something.
Hold my coat for me.The general ordered the colonel to hold his position at all costs.Keepverb
keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g.,
keep cleanhold in placeShe always held herself as a ladyThe students keep me on my toesHoldverb
(transitive) To reserve.
Hold a table for us at 7:00.Keepverb
continue a certain state, condition, or activity;
Keep on working!We continued to work into the nightKeep smilingWe went on working until well past midnightHoldverb
(transitive) To cause to wait or delay.
Hold the elevator.Keepverb
retain possession of;
Can I keep my old stuffed animals?She kept her maiden name after she marriedHoldverb
(transitive) To detain.
Hold the suspect in this cell.Keepverb
prevent from doing something or being in a certain state;
We must prevent the cancer from spreadingHis snoring kept me from falling asleepKeep the child from eating the marblesHoldverb
(intransitive) To be or remain valid; to apply (usually in the third person).
to hold true;The proposition holds.Keepverb
conform one's action or practice to;
keep appointmentsshe never keeps her promisesWe kept to the original conditions of the contractHoldverb
To keep oneself in a particular state.
to hold firm;to hold opinionsKeepverb
observe correctly or closely;
The pianist kept time with the metronomekeep countI cannot keep track of all my employeesHoldverb
(transitive) To impose restraint upon; to limit in motion or action; to bind legally or morally; to confine; to restrain.
Keepverb
look after; be the keeper of; have charge of;
He keeps the shop when I am goneHoldverb
(transitive) To bear, carry, or manage.
He holds himself proudly erect.Hold your head high.Keepverb
maintain by writing regular records;
keep a diarymaintain a recordkeep notesHoldverb
Not to move; to halt; to stop.
Keepverb
supply with room and board;
He is keeping three women in the guest cottagekeep boardersHoldverb
(intransitive) Not to give way; not to part or become separated; to remain unbroken or unsubdued.
Keepverb
allow to remain in a place or position;
We cannot continue several servants any longerShe retains a lawyerThe family's fortune waned and they could not keep their household staffOur grant has run out and we cannot keep you onWe kept the work going as long as we couldHoldverb
To remain continent; to control an excretory bodily function.
to hold one's bladder;to hold one's breathKeepverb
supply with necessities and support;
She alone sustained her familyThe money will sustain our good causeThere's little to earn and many to keepHoldverb
(heading) To maintain or keep to particular opinions, promises, actions.
Keepverb
fail to spoil or rot;
These potatoes keep for a long timeHoldverb
(transitive) To maintain, to consider, to opine.
Keepverb
celebrate, as of holidays or rites;
Keep the commandmentscelebrate ChristmasObserve Yom KippurHoldverb
(transitive) To bind (someone) to a consequence of his or her actions.
He was held responsible for the actions of those under his command.I'll hold him to that promise.Keepverb
keep under control; keep in check;
suppress a smileKeep your temperkeep your coolHoldverb
To maintain in being or action; to carry on; to prosecute, as a course of conduct or an argument; to continue; to sustain.
Keepverb
maintain in safety from injury, harm, or danger;
May God keep youHoldverb
To accept, as an opinion; to be the adherent of, openly or privately; to persist in, as a purpose; to maintain; to sustain.
Keepverb
raise;
She keeps a few chickens in the yardhe keeps beesHoldverb
(archaic) To restrain oneself; to refrain; to hold back.
Keepverb
retain rights to;
keep my job for me while I give birthkeep my seat, pleasekeep open the possibility of a mergerHoldverb
To win one's own service game.
Keepverb
store or keep customarily;
Where do you keep your gardening tools?Holdverb
To take place, to occur.
Keepverb
have as a supply;
I always keep batteries in the freezerkeep food for a week in the pantryShe keeps a sixpack and a week's worth of supplies in the refrigeratorHoldverb
To organise an event or meeting (usually in passive voice).
Elections will be held on the first Sunday of next month.Keepverb
maintain for use and service;
I keep a car in the countrysideShe keeps an apartment in Paris for her shopping tripsHoldverb
(archaic) To derive right or title.
Keepverb
hold and prevent from leaving;
The student was kept after schoolHoldnoun
A grasp or grip.
Keep a firm hold on the handlebars.Keepverb
prevent (food) from rotting;
preserved meatskeep potatoes freshHoldnoun
A place where animals are held for safety
Holdnoun
An order that something is to be reserved or delayed, limiting or preventing how it can be dealt with.
Senator X placed a hold on the bill, then went to the library and placed a hold on a book.Holdnoun
Something reserved or kept.
We have a hold here for you.Holdnoun
Power over someone or something.
Holdnoun
The ability to persist.
Holdnoun
The property of maintaining the shape of styled hair.
Holdnoun
(wrestling) A position or grip used to control the opponent.
He got him in a tight hold and pinned him to the mat.Holdnoun
(exercise) An exercise involving holding a position for a set time
Holdnoun
(gambling) The percentage the house wins on a gamble, the house or bookmaker's hold.
The House Hold on the game is 10,000, this is the amount of decision or risk the house wishes to assume.Holdnoun
(gambling) The wager amount, the total hold.
As of Monday night the total Melbourne Cup hold was $848,015Holdnoun
(tennis) An instance of holding one's service game, as opposed to being broken.
Holdnoun
The part of an object one is intended to grasp, or anything one can use for grasping with hands or feet.
Holdnoun
A fruit machine feature allowing one or more of the reels to remain fixed while the others spin.
Holdnoun
A pause facility.
Holdnoun
The queueing system on telephones and similar communication systems which maintains a connection when all lines are busy.
Holdnoun
(baseball) A statistic awarded to a relief pitcher who is not still pitching at the end of the game and who records at least one out and maintains a lead for his team.
Holdnoun
The cargo area of a ship or aircraft, (often cargo hold).
Put that in the hold.Holdadjective
(obsolete) Gracious; friendly; faithful; true.
Holdnoun
the act of grasping;
he released his clasp on my armhe has a strong grip for an old manshe kept a firm hold on the railingHoldnoun
understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something;
he has a good grasp of accounting practicesHoldnoun
power by which something or someone is affected or dominated;
he has a hold over themHoldnoun
time during which some action is awaited;
instant replay caused too long a delayhe ordered a hold in the actionHoldnoun
a state of being confined (usually for a short time);
his detention was politically motivatedthe prisoner is on holdhe is in the custody of policeHoldnoun
a stronghold
Holdnoun
a cell in a jail or prison
Holdnoun
the appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it;
he grabbed the hammer by the handleit was an old briefcase but it still had a good gripHoldnoun
the space in a ship or aircraft for storing cargo
Holdverb
organize or be responsible for;
hold a receptionhave, throw, or make a partygive a courseHoldverb
keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g.,
keep cleanhold in placeShe always held herself as a ladyThe students keep me on my toesHoldverb
have or hold in one's hands or grip;
Hold this bowl for a moment, pleaseA crazy idea took hold of himHoldverb
to close within bounds, limit or hold back from movement;
This holds the local until the express passengers change trainsAbout a dozen animals were held inside the stockadeThe illegal immigrants were held at a detention centerThe terrorists held the journalists for ransomHoldverb
have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices;
She bears the title of DuchessHe held the governorship for almost a decadeHoldverb
have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense;
She has $1,000 in the bankHe has got two beautiful daughtersShe holds a Master's degree from HarvardHoldverb
keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view;
take for grantedview as importanthold these truths to be self-evidentI hold him personally responsibleHoldverb
contain or hold; have within;
The jar carries wineThe canteen holds fresh waterThis can contains waterHoldverb
lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits;
moderate your alcohol intakehold your tonguehold your tempercontrol your angerHoldverb
remain in a certain state, position, or condition;
The weather heldThey held on the road and kept marchingHoldverb
maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings);
bear a grudgeentertain interesting notionsharbor a resentmentHoldverb
assert or affirm;
Rousseau's philosophy holds that people are inherently goodHoldverb
remain committed to;
I hold to these ideasHoldverb
secure and keep for possible future use or application;
The landlord retained the security depositI reserve the right to disagreeHoldverb
be the physical support of; carry the weight of;
The beam holds up the roofHe supported me with one hand while I balanced on the beamWhat's holding that mirror?Holdverb
hold the attention of;
The soprano held the audienceThis story held our interestShe can hold an audience spellboundHoldverb
keep from exhaling or expelling;
hold your breathHoldverb
support or hold in a certain manner;
She holds her head highHe carried himself uprightHoldverb
have room for; hold without crowding;
This hotel can accommodate 250 guestsThe theater admits 300 peopleThe auditorium can't hold more than 500 peopleHoldverb
be capable of holding or containing;
This box won't take all the itemsThe flask holds one gallonHoldverb
be valid, applicable, or true;
This theory still holdsHoldverb
take and maintain control over, often by violent means;
The dissatisfied students held the President's office for almost a weekHoldverb
protect against a challenge or attack;
Hold that position behind the trees!Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacksHoldverb
declare to be;
She was declared incompetentjudge held that the defendant was innocentHoldverb
have as a major characteristic;
The novel holds many surprisesThe book holds in store much valuable adviseHoldverb
cause to stop;
Halt the enginesArrest the progresshalt the pressesHoldverb
bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted;
He's held by a contractI'll hold you by your promiseHoldverb
cover as for protection against noise or smell;
She held her ears when the jackhammer started to operatehold one's noseHoldverb
drink alcohol without showing ill effects;
He can hold his liquorhe had drunk more than he could carryHoldverb
be pertinent or relevant or applicable;
The same laws apply to you!This theory holds for all irrational numbersThe same rules go for everyoneHoldverb
arrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in advance;
reserve me a seat on a flightThe agent booked tickets to the show for the whole familyplease hold a table at Maxim'sHoldverb
resist or confront with resistance;
The politician defied public opinionThe new material withstands even the greatest wear and tearThe bridge heldHoldverb
keep from departing;
Hold the taxiHold the horseHoldverb
stop dealing with;
hold all calls to the President's office while he is in a meetingHoldverb
aim, point, or direct;
Hold the fire extinguisher directly on the flamesHoldverb
be in accord; be in agreement;
We agreed on the terms of the settlementI can't agree with you!I hold with those who say life is sacredBoth philosophers concord on this point
