Bear vs. Hold — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 7, 2024
Bear refers to carrying or supporting, while Hold means to grasp or contain within limits.
Difference Between Bear and Hold
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Bear often implies enduring or carrying a weight, burden, or responsibility over time or distance. For example, a structure bears the weight it supports, or an individual may bear a heavy responsibility. On the other hand, to hold suggests keeping something in a fixed position, grasping it securely, or containing it within certain limits. Holding might involve physically grasping something with the hands or metaphorically maintaining a concept or belief firmly.
In financial contexts, "bear" can describe a market or investor expecting prices to decline (bear market), signifying a pessimistic outlook. Conversely, to hold in finance means retaining ownership of stocks, securities, or assets, without immediate intent to buy more or sell, reflecting a neutral or cautious stance towards market conditions.
The action of bearing can also denote the ability or capacity to accept or endure, often implying resilience or strength in the face of adversity. Whereas holding something can emphasize control, possession, or confinement, suggesting a more active or deliberate effort to keep something as it is.
Bear encompasses a sense of movement or transition, such as bearing a child (pregnancy) or bearing south (navigation), indicating a process or change. In contrast, hold often denotes a state of stability or stasis, such as holding one's breath or holding a position, where the focus is on remaining unchanged or stationary.
While bearing can imply a direction or orientation (bearing north), holding is more about maintaining a position or state without change, focusing on the static aspect rather than directional or dynamic movement.
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Comparison Chart
General Meaning
To carry or support
To grasp, contain, or maintain
Financial Usage
Expecting price decline (bear market)
Retaining ownership of securities without immediate trade
Implied Action
Enduring, carrying a burden
Grasping securely, containing within limits
Emotional Connotation
Resilience, strength in adversity
Control, possession, stability
Movement vs. Stability
Implies movement or change (bearing a child)
Denotes stability or stasis (holding one's breath)
Compare with Definitions
Bear
To carry or support a weight or burden.
The bridge is designed to bear heavy loads.
Hold
To convene or conduct.
The organization will hold a meeting next week.
Bear
To have as a characteristic; to possess.
The documentary bears evidence of the historical events.
Hold
To keep in a specified position or manner.
Hold the book steady while I read.
Bear
To be pregnant with (a child).
She is bearing her first child.
Hold
To maintain possession or control of.
He holds the record for the most goals scored.
Bear
To endure or withstand pressure or adversity.
She bore the pain without complaint.
Hold
To contain or be capable of containing.
The jar holds two liters.
Bear
To move in a direction.
Bear left at the next intersection.
Hold
To keep detain or confine.
The police held the suspect in custody.
Bear
Bears are carnivoran mammals of the family Ursidae. They are classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivorans.
Hold
To have and keep in one's grasp
Held the reins tightly.
Bear
To carry (something) on one's person from one place to another
Bore the suitcase to the station.
Hold
To aim or direct; point
Held a hose on the fire.
Bear
To move from one place to another while containing or supporting (something); convey or transport
A train bearing grain.
Hold
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.
Bear
To cause to move by or with steady pressure; push
A boat borne along by the current.
Hold
To sustain the pressure of
The old bridge can't hold much weight.
Bear
To carry or hold in the mind over time; harbor
Bear a grudge.
Bear ill will.
Hold
To keep from departing or getting away
Hold the bus! Hold the dog until I find the leash.
Bear
To have as a visible characteristic or attribute
A letter bearing his name.
Hold
To keep in custody
Held the suspect for questioning.
Bear
To conduct (oneself) in a specified way
She bore herself with dignity.
Hold
To retain (one's attention or interest)
Televised sports can't hold my interest.
Bear
To hold up; support
This wall bears much of the weight of the roof.
Hold
To avoid letting out or expelling
The swimmer held her breath while underwater.
Bear
To be accountable for; assume
Bearing heavy responsibilities.
Hold
To be filled by; contain
This drawer holds socks.
Bear
To have a tolerance for; endure
Couldn't bear his lying.
Can't bear to see them leave.
Hold
To be capable of holding
A pitcher that holds a quart.
Bear
To have grounds for; call for; warrant
This case bears investigation.
Hold
To have as a chief characteristic or quality
The film holds many surprises.
Bear
To give birth to
Bore six children.
Hold
To have in store
Let's see what the future holds.
Bear
To produce; yield
Plants bearing fruit.
Hold
To have and maintain in one's possession
Holds a great deal of property.
Bear
To offer; render
I will bear witness to the deed.
Hold
To have as a responsible position or a privilege
Held the governorship for six years.
Bear
To yield fruit; produce
Peach trees that bear every summer.
Hold
To have in recognition of achievement or superiority
Holds the record for the one-mile race.
Holds the respect of her peers.
Bear
To have relevance or influence; apply
They studied how the relativity theory bears on the history of science.
Hold
To maintain control over
Thieves held the stolen painting for ransom.
Bear
To endure something with tolerance or patience
Bear with me while I explain what happened.
Hold
To maintain occupation of by force or coercion
Protesters held the embassy for a week.
Bear
To extend or proceed in a specified direction
The road bears to the right at the bottom of the hill.
Hold
To withstand the efforts or advance of (an opposing team, for example).
Bear
Any of various usually omnivorous mammals of the family Ursidae that have a shaggy coat and a short tail and walk with the entire lower surface of the foot touching the ground.
Hold
To maintain in a given condition, situation, or action
The storyteller held the crowd spellbound.
Bear
Any of various other animals, such as the koala, that resemble a true bear.
Hold
To impose control or restraint on; curb
She held her temper.
Bear
A large, clumsy, or ill-mannered person.
Hold
To stop the movement or progress of
Hold the presses!.
Bear
One, such as an investor, that sells securities or commodities in expectation of falling prices.
Hold
To reserve or keep back from use
Please hold two tickets for us. Hold the relish on that hamburger.
Bear
A pessimist, especially regarding business conditions.
Hold
To defer the immediate handling of
The receptionist held all calls during the meeting.
Bear
(Slang) Something that is difficult or unpleasant
The final exam was a bear.
Hold
To own or have title to.
Bear
(Slang) A highway patrol officer.
Hold
To be in possession of, whether legally entitled or not
Holds an interest in the company.
Bear
(Slang) A hairy, stocky gay man.
Hold
To bind by a contract.
Bear
Characterized by falling prices
A bear market.
Hold
To adjudge or decree
The court held that the defendant was at fault.
Bear
A large, generally omnivorous mammal (a few species are purely carnivorous or herbivorous), related to the dog and raccoon, having shaggy hair, a very small tail, and flat feet; a member of the family Ursidae.
Hold
To make accountable; obligate
He held me to my promise.
Bear
The meat of this animal.
We had barbecued bear for dinner.
Hold
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.
Bear
(figuratively) A rough, unmannerly, uncouth person.
Hold
To assert or affirm, especially formally
This doctrine holds that people are inherently good.
Bear
(finance) An investor who sells commodities, securities, or futures in anticipation of a fall in prices.
Hold
To regard in a certain way
I hold you in high esteem.
Bear
A state policeman short for Smokey Bear.
Hold
To cause to take place; carry on
Held the race in Texas.
Hold a yard sale.
Bear
(engineering) A portable punching machine.
Hold
To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene
Held a meeting of the board.
Bear
(nautical) A block covered with coarse matting, used to scour the deck.
Hold
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.
Bear
(cartomancy) The fifteenth Lenormand card.
Hold
To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection
Held my nose against the stench.
Bear
Something difficult or tiresome; a burden or chore.
That window can be a bear to open.
Hold
To maintain a grasp or grip on something.
Bear
(obsolete) A pillowcase; a fabric case or covering as for a pillow.
Hold
To stay securely fastened
The chain held.
Bear
To endeavour to depress the price of, or prices in.
To bear a railroad stock
To bear the market
Hold
To maintain a desired or accustomed position or condition
Hopes the weather will hold.
Bear
To carry or convey, literally or figuratively.
They came bearing gifts.
Judging from the look on his face, he wasn't bearing good news.
The little boat bore us to our destination.
This plant's light and fluffy seeds may be borne by the wind to remote islands.
Hold
To withstand stress, pressure, or opposition
The defense held. We held firm on the negotiations.
Bear
To carry upon one's person, especially visibly; to be equipped with.
The right to bear arms
Hold
To continue in the same direction
The ship held to an easterly course.
Bear
To wear. en
Hold
To be valid, applicable, or true
The observation still holds in cases like this.
Bear
To carry (offspring in the womb), to be pregnant (with).
The scan showed that the ewe was bearing twins.
Hold
To halt an intended action. Often used in the imperative.
Bear
(transitive) To have or display (a mark or other feature).
She still bears the scars from a cycling accident.
The stone bears a short inscription.
This bears all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack.
Hold
To stop the countdown during a missile or spacecraft launch.
Bear
(transitive) To display (a particular heraldic device) on a shield or coat of arms; to be entitled to wear or use (a heraldic device) as a coat of arms.
The shield bore a red cross.
Hold
(Slang) To have in one's possession illicit or illegally obtained material or goods, especially narcotics
The suspect was holding.
Bear
(transitive) To present or exhibit (a particular outward appearance); to have (a certain look).
He bore the look of a defeated man.
Hold
The act or a means of grasping.
Bear
(transitive) To have (a name, title, or designation).
The school still bears the name of its founder.
Hold
A manner of grasping an opponent, as in wrestling or aikido
A neck hold.
An arm hold.
Bear
(transitive) To possess or enjoy (recognition, renown, a reputation, etc.); to have (a particular price, value, or worth).
The dictator bears a terrible reputation for cruelty.
Hold
Something that may be grasped or gripped, as for support.
Bear
To have (interest or a specified rate of interest) stipulated in its terms.
The bond bears a fixed interest rate of 3.5%.
Hold
A control or adjustor on a television that keeps the screen image in proper position
Adjusted the horizontal hold.
Bear
To have (an appendage, organ, etc.) as part of the body; (of a part of the body) to have (an appendage).
Only the male Indian elephant bears tusks.
Hold
A telephone service that allows one to temporarily interrupt a call without severing the connection.
Bear
(transitive) To carry or hold in the mind; to experience, entertain, harbour (an idea, feeling, or emotion).
To bear a grudge, to bear ill will
Hold
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.
Bear
To feel and show (respect, reverence, loyalty, etc.) to, towards, or unto a person or thing.
The brothers had always borne one another respect.
Hold
Complete control
Has a firm hold on the complex issues.
Bear
(transitive) To possess inherently (a quality, attribute, power, or capacity); to have and display as an essential characteristic.
To bear life
Hold
Full understanding
Has a good hold on physics.
Bear
To have (a relation, correspondence, etc.) to something else.
The punishment bears no relation to the crime.
Hold
The sustaining of a note longer than its indicated time value.
Bear
(transitive) To give (written or oral testimony or evidence); (figurative) to provide or constitute (evidence or proof), give witness.
His achievements bear testimony to his ability.
The jury could see he was bearing false witness.
Hold
The symbol designating this pause; a fermata.
Bear
(transitive) To have (a certain meaning, intent, or effect).
This word no longer bears its original meaning.
Hold
A direction or indication that something is to be reserved or deferred.
Bear
To behave or conduct (oneself).
She bore herself well throughout the ordeal.
Hold
A temporary halt, as in a countdown.
Bear
To possess and use, to exercise (power or influence); to hold (an office, rank, or position).
Hold
A prison cell.
Bear
To carry a burden or burdens.
Hold
The state of being in confinement; custody.
Bear
To take or bring (a person) with oneself; to conduct.
Hold
(Archaic) A fortified place; a stronghold.
Bear
To support, sustain, or endure.
Hold
The lower interior part of a ship or airplane where cargo is stored.
Bear
(transitive) To support or sustain; to hold up.
This stone bears most of the weight.
Hold
(transitive) To grasp or grip.
Hold the pencil like this.
Bear
To endure or withstand (hardship, scrutiny, etc.); to tolerate; to be patient (with).
The pain is too much for me to bear.
I would never move to Texas — I can't bear heat.
This reasoning will not bear much analysis.
Please bear with me as I try to find the book you need.
Hold
(transitive) To contain or store.
This package holds six bottles.
Bear
(transitive) To sustain, or be answerable for (blame, expense, responsibility, etc.).
The hirer must bear the cost of any repairs.
Hold
(heading) To maintain or keep to a position or state.
Bear
(transitive) To admit or be capable of (a meaning); to suffer or sustain without violence, injury, or change.
Hold
(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.
Bear
(transitive) To warrant, justify the need for.
This storm definitely bears monitoring.
Hold
(transitive) To reserve.
Hold a table for us at 7:00.
Bear
To support, keep up, or maintain.
Hold
(transitive) To cause to wait or delay.
Hold the elevator.
Bear
(transitive) To afford, to be something to someone, to supply with something. en
Hold
(transitive) To detain.
Hold the suspect in this cell.
Bear
(transitive) To carry on, or maintain; to have. en
Hold
To be or remain valid; to apply (usually in the third person).
To hold true;
The proposition holds.
Bear
To press or impinge upon.
Hold
To keep oneself in a particular state.
To hold firm
Bear
To push, thrust, press.
The rope has frayed where it bears on the rim of the wheel.
Hold
(transitive) To impose restraint upon; to limit in motion or action; to bind legally or morally; to confine; to restrain.
Bear
To take effect; to have influence or force; to be relevant.
To bring arguments to bear
How does this bear on the question?
Hold
(transitive) To bear, carry, or manage.
He holds himself proudly erect.
Hold your head high.
Bear
Of a weapon, to be aimed at an enemy or other target.
The cannons were wheeled around to bear upon the advancing troops.
Hold
Not to move; to halt; to stop.
Bear
To produce, yield, give birth to.
Hold
(intransitive) Not to give way; not to part or become separated; to remain unbroken or unsubdued.
Bear
To give birth to (someone or something) may take the father of the direct object as an indirect object.
In Troy she becomes Paris’ wife, bearing him several children, all of whom die in infancy.
Hold
To remain continent; to control an excretory bodily function.
To hold one's bladder;
To hold one's breath
Bear
To produce or yield something, such as fruit or crops.
This year our apple trees bore a good crop of fruit.
Hold
(heading) To maintain or keep to particular opinions, promises, actions.
Bear
To be, or head, in a specific direction or azimuth (from somewhere).
Carry on past the church and then bear left at the junction.
By my readings, we're bearing due south, so we should turn about ten degrees east.
Great Falls bears north of Bozeman.
Hold
(transitive) To maintain, to consider, to opine.
Bear
To gain or win.
Hold
(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.
Bear
Characterized by declining prices in securities markets or by belief that the prices will fall.
The great bear market starting in 1929 scared a whole generation of investors.
Hold
To maintain in being or action; to carry on; to prosecute, as a course of conduct or an argument; to continue; to sustain.
Bear
To support or sustain; to hold up.
Hold
To accept, as an opinion; to be the adherent of, openly or privately; to persist in, as a purpose; to maintain; to sustain.
Bear
To support and remove or carry; to convey.
I 'll bear your logs the while.
Hold
(archaic) To restrain oneself; to refrain; to hold back.
Bear
To conduct; to bring; - said of persons.
Bear them to my house.
Hold
To win one's own service game.
Bear
To possess and use, as power; to exercise.
Every man should bear rule in his own house.
Hold
To take place, to occur.
Bear
To sustain; to have on (written or inscribed, or as a mark), as, the tablet bears this inscription.
Hold
To organise an event or meeting (usually in passive voice).
Elections will be held on the first Sunday of next month.
Bear
To possess or carry, as a mark of authority or distinction; to wear; as, to bear a sword, badge, or name.
Hold
(archaic) To derive right or title.
Bear
To possess mentally; to carry or hold in the mind; to entertain; to harbor
The ancient grudge I bear him.
Hold
(imperative) In a food or drink order at an informal restaurant etc., requesting that a component normally included in that order be omitted.
One ham-and-cheese sandwich; hold the mustard.
A martini, please, and hold the olive.
Bear
To endure; to tolerate; to undergo; to suffer.
Should such a man, too fond to rule alone,Bear, like the Turk, no brother near the throne.
I cannot bearThe murmur of this lake to hear.
My punishment is greater than I can bear.
Hold
To be in possession of illicit drugs for sale.
Bear
To gain or win.
Some think to bear it by speaking a great word.
She was . . . found not guilty, through bearing of friends and bribing of the judge.
Hold
A grasp or grip.
Keep a firm hold on the handlebars.
Bear
To sustain, or be answerable for, as blame, expense, responsibility, etc.
He shall bear their iniquities.
Somewhat that will bear your charges.
Hold
An act or instance of holding.
Can I have a hold of the baby?
Bear
To render or give; to bring forward.
Hold
A place where animals are held for safety
Bear
To carry on, or maintain; to have.
Hold
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.
Bear
To admit or be capable of; that is, to suffer or sustain without violence, injury, or change.
In all criminal cases the most favorable interpretation should be put on words that they can possibly bear.
Hold
Something reserved or kept.
We have a hold here for you.
Bear
To manage, wield, or direct.
Hath he borne himself penitently in prison?
Hold
Power over someone or something.
Bear
To afford; to be to; to supply with.
His faithful dog shall bear him company.
Hold
The ability to persist.
Bear
To bring forth or produce; to yield; as, to bear apples; to bear children; to bear interest.
Here dwelt the man divine whom Samos bore.
Hold
The property of maintaining the shape of styled hair.
Bear
To produce, as fruit; to be fruitful, in opposition to barrenness.
This age to blossom, and the next to bear.
Hold
(wrestling) A position or grip used to control the opponent.
He got him in a tight hold and pinned him to the mat.
Bear
To suffer, as in carrying a burden.
But man is born to bear.
Hold
(exercise) An exercise involving holding a position for a set time
Bear
To endure with patience; to be patient.
I can not, can not bear.
Hold
(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.
Bear
To press; - with on or upon, or against.
These men bear hard on the suspected party.
Hold
(gambling) The wager amount, the total hold.
As of Monday night the total Melbourne Cup hold was $848,015
Bear
To take effect; to have influence or force; as, to bring matters to bear.
Hold
(tennis) An instance of holding one's service game, as opposed to being broken.
Bear
To relate or refer; - with on or upon; as, how does this bear on the question?
Hold
The part of an object one is intended to grasp, or anything one can use for grasping with hands or feet.
Bear
To have a certain meaning, intent, or effect.
Her sentence bore that she should stand a certain time upon the platform.
Hold
A fruit machine feature allowing one or more of the reels to remain fixed while the others spin.
Bear
To be situated, as to the point of compass, with respect to something else; as, the land bears N. by E.
Hold
A pause facility.
Bear
To endeavor to depress the price of, or prices in; as, to bear a railroad stock; to bear the market.
Hold
The queueing system on telephones and similar communication systems which maintains a connection when all lines are busy.
Bear
A bier.
Hold
(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.
Bear
Any species of the genus Ursus, and of the closely allied genera. Bears are plantigrade Carnivora, but they live largely on fruit and insects.
Hold
(aviation) A region of airspace reserved for aircraft being kept in a holding pattern.
Bear
An animal which has some resemblance to a bear in form or habits, but no real affinity; as, the woolly bear; ant bear; water bear; sea bear.
Hold
The cargo area of a ship or aircraft (often holds or cargo hold).
We watched our luggage being loaded into the hold of the plane.
Bear
One of two constellations in the northern hemisphere, called respectively the Great Bear and the Lesser Bear, or Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.
Hold
(obsolete) Gracious; friendly; faithful; true.
Bear
Metaphorically: A brutal, coarse, or morose person.
Hold
The whole interior portion of a vessel below the lower deck, in which the cargo is stowed.
Bear
A person who sells stocks or securities for future delivery in expectation of a fall in the market.
Hold
The act of holding, as in or with the hands or arms; the manner of holding, whether firm or loose; seizure; grasp; clasp; grip; possession; - often used with the verbs take and lay.
Ne have I not twelve pence within mine hold.
Thou should'st lay hold upon him.
My soul took hold on thee.
Take fast hold of instruction.
Bear
A portable punching machine.
Hold
The authority or ground to take or keep; claim.
The law hath yet another hold on you.
Bear
A block covered with coarse matting; - used to scour the deck.
Hold
Binding power and influence.
Fear . . . by which God and his laws take the surest hold of.
Bear
Barley; the six-rowed barley or the four-rowed barley, commonly the former (Hordeum hexastichon or Hordeum vulgare).
Hold
Something that may be grasped; means of support.
If a man be upon an high place without rails or good hold, he is ready to fall.
Bear
Massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws
Hold
A place of confinement; a prison; confinement; custody; guard.
They . . . put them in hold unto the next day.
King Richard, he is in the mighty holdOf Bolingbroke.
Bear
An investor with a pessimistic market outlook; an investor who expects prices to fall and so sells now in order to buy later at a lower price
Hold
A place of security; a fortified place; a fort; a castle; - often called a stronghold.
New comers in an ancient hold
Bear
Have;
Bear a resemblance
Bear a signature
Hold
A character [thus ] placed over or under a note or rest, and indicating that it is to be prolonged; - called also pause, and corona.
Bear
Give birth (to a newborn);
My wife had twins yesterday!
Hold
To cause to remain in a given situation, position, or relation, within certain limits, or the like; to prevent from falling or escaping; to sustain; to restrain; to keep in the grasp; to retain.
The loops held one curtain to another.
Thy right hand shall hold me.
They all hold swords, being expert in war.
In vain he seeks, that having can not hold.
France, thou mayst hold a serpent by the tongue, . . . A fasting tiger safer by the tooth,Than keep in peace that hand which thou dost hold.
Bear
Put up with something or somebody unpleasant;
I cannot bear his constant criticism
The new secretary had to endure a lot of unprofessional remarks
He learned to tolerate the heat
She stuck out two years in a miserable marriage
Hold
To retain in one's keeping; to maintain possession of, or authority over; not to give up or relinquish; to keep; to defend.
We mean to hold what anciently we claimOf deity or empire.
Bear
Move while holding up or supporting;
Bear gifts
Bear a heavy load
Bear news
Bearing orders
Hold
To have; to possess; to be in possession of; to occupy; to derive title to; as, to hold office.
This noble merchant held a noble house.
Of him to hold his seigniory for a yearly tribute.
And now the strand, and now the plain, they held.
Bear
Bring forth,
The apple tree bore delicious apples this year
The unidentified plant bore gorgeous flowers
Hold
To maintain in being or action; to carry on; to prosecute, as a course of conduct or an argument; to continue; to sustain.
Hold not thy peace, and be not still.
Seedtime and harvest, heat and hoary frost,Shall hold their course.
Bear
Take on as one's own the expenses or debts of another person;
I'll accept the charges
She agreed to bear the responsibility
Hold
To prosecute, have, take, or join in, as something which is the result of united action; as to, hold a meeting, a festival, a session, etc.; hence, to direct and bring about officially; to conduct or preside at; as, the general held a council of war; a judge holds a court; a clergyman holds a service.
I would hold more talk with thee.
Bear
Contain or hold; have within;
The jar carries wine
The canteen holds fresh water
This can contains water
Hold
To receive and retain; to contain as a vessel; as, this pail holds milk; hence, to be able to receive and retain; to have capacity or containing power for.
Broken cisterns that can hold no water.
One sees more devils than vast hell can hold.
Bear
Bring in;
Interest-bearing accounts
How much does this savings certificate pay annually?
Hold
To accept, as an opinion; to be the adherent of, openly or privately; to persist in, as a purpose; to maintain; to sustain.
Stand fast and hold the traditions which ye have been taught.
But still he held his purpose to depart.
Bear
Have on one's person;
He wore a red ribbon
Bear a scar
Hold
To consider; to regard; to esteem; to account; to think; to judge.
I hold him but a fool.
I shall never hold that man my friend.
The Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Bear
Behave in a certain manner;
She carried herself well
He bore himself with dignity
They conducted themselves well during these difficult times
Hold
To bear, carry, or manage; as he holds himself erect; he holds his head high.
Let him hold his fingers thus.
O, fie! to receive favors, return falsehoods,And hold a lady in hand.
Bear
Have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices;
She bears the title of Duchess
He held the governorship for almost a decade
Hold
In general, to keep one's self in a given position or condition; to remain fixed. Hence:
Bear
Support or hold in a certain manner;
She holds her head high
He carried himself upright
Hold
Not to move; to halt; to stop; - mostly in the imperative.
And damned be him that first cries, "Hold, enough!"
Bear
Be pregnant with;
She is bearing his child
The are expecting another child in January
I am carrying his child
Hold
Not to give way; not to part or become separated; to remain unbroken or unsubdued.
Our force by land hath nobly held.
Hold
Not to fail or be found wanting; to continue; to last; to endure a test or trial; to abide; to persist.
While our obedience holds.
The rule holds in land as all other commodities.
Hold
Not to fall away, desert, or prove recreant; to remain attached; to cleave; - often with with, to, or for.
He will hold to the one and despise the other.
Hold
To restrain one's self; to refrain.
His dauntless heart would fain have heldFrom weeping, but his eyes rebelled.
Hold
To derive right or title; - generally with of.
My crown is absolute, and holds of none.
His imagination holds immediately from nature.
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
Hold
Understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something;
He has a good grasp of accounting practices
Hold
Power by which something or someone is affected or dominated;
He has a hold over them
Hold
Time during which some action is awaited;
Instant replay caused too long a delay
He ordered a hold in the action
Hold
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
Hold
A stronghold
Hold
A cell in a jail or prison
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
Hold
The space in a ship or aircraft for storing cargo
Hold
Organize or be responsible for;
Hold a reception
Have, throw, or make a party
Give a course
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
Hold
Have or hold in one's hands or grip;
Hold this bowl for a moment, please
A crazy idea took hold of him
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
Hold
Have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices;
She bears the title of Duchess
He held the governorship for almost a decade
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
Hold
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
Hold
Contain or hold; have within;
The jar carries wine
The canteen holds fresh water
This can contains water
Hold
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
Hold
Remain in a certain state, position, or condition;
The weather held
They held on the road and kept marching
Hold
Maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings);
Bear a grudge
Entertain interesting notions
Harbor a resentment
Hold
Assert or affirm;
Rousseau's philosophy holds that people are inherently good
Hold
Remain committed to;
I hold to these ideas
Hold
Secure and keep for possible future use or application;
The landlord retained the security deposit
I reserve the right to disagree
Hold
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?
Hold
Hold the attention of;
The soprano held the audience
This story held our interest
She can hold an audience spellbound
Hold
Keep from exhaling or expelling;
Hold your breath
Hold
Support or hold in a certain manner;
She holds her head high
He carried himself upright
Hold
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
Hold
Be capable of holding or containing;
This box won't take all the items
The flask holds one gallon
Hold
Be valid, applicable, or true;
This theory still holds
Hold
Take and maintain control over, often by violent means;
The dissatisfied students held the President's office for almost a week
Hold
Protect against a challenge or attack;
Hold that position behind the trees!
Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks
Hold
Declare to be;
She was declared incompetent
Judge held that the defendant was innocent
Hold
Have as a major characteristic;
The novel holds many surprises
The book holds in store much valuable advise
Hold
Cause to stop;
Halt the engines
Arrest the progress
Halt the presses
Hold
Bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted;
He's held by a contract
I'll hold you by your promise
Hold
Cover as for protection against noise or smell;
She held her ears when the jackhammer started to operate
Hold one's nose
Hold
Drink alcohol without showing ill effects;
He can hold his liquor
He had drunk more than he could carry
Hold
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
Hold
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
Hold
Resist or confront with resistance;
The politician defied public opinion
The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear
The bridge held
Hold
Keep from departing;
Hold the taxi
Hold the horse
Hold
Stop dealing with;
Hold all calls to the President's office while he is in a meeting
Hold
Aim, point, or direct;
Hold the fire extinguisher directly on the flames
Hold
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
Common Curiosities
What does hold mean in a legal context?
In legal terms, to hold often means to maintain or keep in custody, or it can refer to a court's decision or judgment.
What is a bear market?
A bear market is a financial market condition characterized by declining prices and pessimism, expecting further declines.
What does it mean to hold a stock?
To hold a stock means to retain ownership of it without currently buying more or selling, often reflecting a wait-and-see approach.
Can bear and hold be used interchangeably?
While there might be contexts where their use overlaps, generally they are not interchangeable due to differing nuances of carrying/supporting versus grasping/containing.
Is holding always physical?
No, holding can also be metaphorical, as in holding a belief or position, indicating mental or emotional possession or control.
What does it mean to bear a responsibility?
To bear a responsibility means to carry or support the duty, often implying the need to manage or endure it over time.
How does the financial usage of bear differ from its general meaning?
Financially, bear specifically refers to the expectation of price decline, diverging from the general sense of carrying or enduring.
Can something bear and hold at the same time?
Yes, in some contexts, like a container might bear a weight and hold contents within it, combining aspects of both meanings.
How does holding your breath illustrate the meaning of hold?
It exemplifies maintaining a static condition or action, here the cessation of breathing, for a period.
What does it mean to hold one's ground?
To hold one's ground means to maintain one's position or opinion in the face of opposition, emphasizing steadfastness.
What illustrates the difference between bear and hold in a physical context?
A pillar bearing a structure's weight supports it, while hands holding an object keep it from falling, illustrating the support versus containment aspect.
What is the significance of holding a title?
Holding a title signifies possession or achievement, indicating recognition or ownership of a certain status or record.
What does bearing south mean?
Bearing south means to move or be directed towards the south, often used in navigation.
How do bear and hold relate to emotional resilience?
Bearing often relates to enduring hardships (emotional resilience), while holding might refer to maintaining control or stability in emotional states.
Can a person be described as bearing a grudge?
Yes, bearing a grudge means to carry feelings of resentment or anger towards someone, often for a prolonged period.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
