Hold vs. Carry — What's the Difference?

To have and keep in one's grasp

To hold or support while moving; bear

To aim or direct; point

To move or take from one place to another; transport

To keep from falling or moving; support

Chiefly Southern US To escort or accompany.

To sustain the pressure of

To serve as a means for the conveyance of; transmit

To keep from departing or getting away

To communicate; pass on

To keep in custody

To express or contain

To retain (one's attention or interest)

To have (something) on the surface or skin; bear

To avoid letting out or expelling

To hold or be capable of holding

To be filled by; contain

To support (a weight or responsibility).

To be capable of holding

To support the weight or responsibility of

To have as a chief characteristic or quality

To keep or have on one's person

To have in store

To be pregnant with (offspring).

To have and maintain in one's possession

To hold and move (the body or a part of it) in a particular way

To have as a responsible position or a privilege

To behave or conduct (oneself) in a specified manner.

To have in recognition of achievement or superiority

To extend or continue in space, time, or degree

To maintain control over

To give impetus to; propel

To maintain occupation of by force or coercion

To take further; advance

To withstand the efforts or advance of (an opposing team, for example).

To take or seize, especially by force; capture.

To maintain in a given condition, situation, or action

To be successful in; win

To impose control or restraint on; curb

To gain victory, support, or acceptance for

To stop the movement or progress of

To win a majority of the votes in

To reserve or keep back from use

To gain the sympathy of; win over

To defer the immediate handling of

To include or keep on a list

To own or have title to.

To have as an attribute or accompaniment

To be in possession of, whether legally entitled or not

To involve as a condition, consequence, or effect

To bind by a contract.

(Physics) To possess (an intrinsic property, such as color charge) or convey (a force) that governs particle interactions.

To adjudge or decree

To transfer from one place, as a column, page, or book, to another

To make accountable; obligate

To keep in stock; offer for sale

To keep in the mind or convey as a judgment, conviction, or point of view

To keep in one's accounts as a debtor

To assert or affirm, especially formally

To maintain or support (one that is weaker or less competent, for example).

To regard in a certain way

To compensate for (a weaker member or partner) by one's performance.

To cause to take place; carry on

To place before the public; print or broadcast

To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene

To produce as a crop.

To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position

To provide forage for (livestock)

To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection

To sing (a melody, for example) on key

To maintain a grasp or grip on something.

(Nautical) To be equipped with (a mast or sail).

To stay securely fastened

To cover (a distance) or advance beyond (a point or object) in one golf stroke.

To maintain a desired or accustomed position or condition

To control and advance (a ball or puck).

To withstand stress, pressure, or opposition

(Basketball) To palm (the ball) in violation of the rules.

To continue in the same direction

To act as a bearer

To be valid, applicable, or true

To be transmitted or conveyed

To halt an intended action. Often used in the imperative.

To admit of being transported

To stop the countdown during a missile or spacecraft launch.

To hold the neck and head in a certain way. Used of a horse.

(Slang) To have in one's possession illicit or illegally obtained material or goods, especially narcotics

To be accepted or approved

The act or a means of grasping.

The act or process of carrying.

A manner of grasping an opponent, as in wrestling or aikido

A portage, as between two navigable bodies of water.

Something that may be grasped or gripped, as for support.

(Football) An act of running with the ball on an offensive play from scrimmage

A control or adjustor on a television that keeps the screen image in proper position

The range of a gun or projectile.

A telephone service that allows one to temporarily interrupt a call without severing the connection.

The distance traveled by a hurled or struck ball.

A bond or force that attaches or restrains, or by which something is affected or dominated

Reach; projection

Complete control

(transitive) To lift (something) and take it to another place; to transport (something) by lifting.

Full understanding

(transitive) To notionally transfer from one place (such as a country, book, or column) to another.

The sustaining of a note longer than its indicated time value.

(transitive) To convey by extension or continuance; to extend.

The symbol designating this pause; a fermata.

To move; to convey using force

A direction or indication that something is to be reserved or deferred.

(transitive) To lead or guide.

A temporary halt, as in a countdown.

(transitive) To stock or supply (something); to have in store.

A prison cell.

(transitive) To adopt (something); take (something) over.

The state of being in confinement; custody.

(transitive) To adopt or resolve on, especially in a deliberative assembly

(Archaic) A fortified place; a stronghold.

In an addition, to transfer the quantity in excess of what is countable in the units in a column to the column immediately to the left in order to be added there.

The lower interior part of a ship or airplane where cargo is stored.

(transitive) To have, hold, possess or maintain (something).

(transitive) To grasp or grip.

(intransitive) To be transmitted; to travel.

(transitive) To contain or store.

To insult, to diss.

(heading) To maintain or keep to a position or state.

To capture a ship by coming alongside and boarding.

(transitive) To have and keep possession of something.

To transport (the ball) whilst maintaining possession.

(transitive) To reserve.

(transitive) To have on one's person.

(transitive) To cause to wait or delay.

To be pregnant (with).

(transitive) To detain.

To have propulsive power; to propel.

To be or remain valid; to apply (usually in the third person).

To hold the head; said of a horse.

To keep oneself in a particular state.

(hunting) To have earth or frost stick to the feet when running, as a hare.

(transitive) To impose restraint upon; to limit in motion or action; to bind legally or morally; to confine; to restrain.

To bear or uphold successfully through conflict, for example a leader or principle

(transitive) To bear, carry, or manage.

To succeed in (e.g. a contest); to succeed in; to win.

Not to move; to halt; to stop.

(obsolete) To get possession of by force; to capture.

(intransitive) Not to give way; not to part or become separated; to remain unbroken or unsubdued.

To contain; to comprise; have a particular aspect; to show or exhibit

To remain continent; to control an excretory bodily function.

(reflexive) To bear (oneself); to behave or conduct.

(heading) To maintain or keep to particular opinions, promises, actions.

To bear the charges or burden of holding or having, as stocks, merchandise, etc., from one time to another.

(transitive) To maintain, to consider, to opine.

(intransitive) To have a weapon on one's person; to be armed.

(transitive) To bind (someone) to a consequence of his or her actions.

(gaming) To be disproportionately responsible for a team's success.

To maintain in being or action; to carry on; to prosecute, as a course of conduct or an argument; to continue; to sustain.

(Southern US) to physically transport (in the general sense, not necessarily by lifting)

To accept, as an opinion; to be the adherent of, openly or privately; to persist in, as a purpose; to maintain; to sustain.

(North America) To bear a firearm, such as a gun.

(archaic) To restrain oneself; to refrain; to hold back.

A manner of transporting or lifting something; the grip or position in which something is carried.

To win one's own service game.

A tract of land over which boats or goods are carried between two bodies of navigable water; a portage.

To take place, to occur.

(computing) The bit or digit that is carried in an addition operation.

To organise an event or meeting (usually in passive voice).

(finance) The benefit or cost of owning an asset over time.

(archaic) To derive right or title.

(golf) The distance travelled by the ball when struck, until it hits the ground.

(imperative) In a food or drink order at an informal restaurant etc., requesting that a component normally included in that order be omitted.

(finance) Carried interest.

To be in possession of illicit drugs for sale.

The sky; cloud-drift.

A grasp or grip.

To convey or transport in any manner from one place to another; to bear; - often with away or off.

An act or instance of holding.

To have or hold as a burden, while moving from place to place; to have upon or about one's person; to bear; as, to carry a wound; to carry an unborn child.

A place where animals are held for safety

To move; to convey by force; to impel; to conduct; to lead or guide.

An order that something is to be reserved or delayed, limiting or preventing how it can be dealt with.

To transfer from one place (as a country, book, or column) to another; as, to carry the war from Greece into Asia; to carry an account to the ledger; to carry a number in adding figures.

Something reserved or kept.

To convey by extension or continuance; to extend; as, to carry the chimney through the roof; to carry a road ten miles farther.

Power over someone or something.

To bear or uphold successfully through conflict, as a leader or principle; hence, to succeed in, as in a contest; to bring to a successful issue; to win; as, to carry an election.

The ability to persist.

To get possession of by force; to capture.

The property of maintaining the shape of styled hair.

To contain; to comprise; to bear the aspect of ; to show or exhibit; to imply.

(wrestling) A position or grip used to control the opponent.

To bear (one's self); to behave, to conduct or demean; - with the reflexive pronouns.

(exercise) An exercise involving holding a position for a set time

To bear the charges or burden of holding or having, as stocks, merchandise, etc., from one time to another; as, a merchant is carrying a large stock; a farm carries a mortgage; a broker carries stock for a customer; to carry a life insurance.

(gambling) The percentage the house wins on a gamble, the house or bookmaker's hold.

To act as a bearer; to convey anything; as, to fetch and carry.

(gambling) The wager amount, the total hold.

To have propulsive power; to propel; as, a gun or mortar carries well.

(tennis) An instance of holding one's service game, as opposed to being broken.

To hold the head; - said of a horse; as, to carry well i. e., to hold the head high, with arching neck.

The part of an object one is intended to grasp, or anything one can use for grasping with hands or feet.

To have earth or frost stick to the feet when running, as a hare.

A fruit machine feature allowing one or more of the reels to remain fixed while the others spin.

A tract of land, over which boats or goods are carried between two bodies of navigable water; a carrying place; a portage.

A pause facility.

The act of carrying something

The queueing system on telephones and similar communication systems which maintains a connection when all lines are busy.

Move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body;

(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.

Have with oneself; have on one's person;

(aviation) A region of airspace reserved for aircraft being kept in a holding pattern.

Transmit or serve as the medium for transmission;

The cargo area of a ship or aircraft (often holds or cargo hold).

Serve as a means for expressing something;

(obsolete) Gracious; friendly; faithful; true.

Bear or be able to bear the weight, pressure,or responsibility of;

The whole interior portion of a vessel below the lower deck, in which the cargo is stowed.

Support or hold in a certain manner;

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.

Contain or hold; have within;

The authority or ground to take or keep; claim.

Extend to a certain degree;

Binding power and influence.

Continue or extend;

Something that may be grasped; means of support.

Be necessarily associated with or result in or involve;

A place of confinement; a prison; confinement; custody; guard.

Win in an election;

A place of security; a fortified place; a fort; a castle; - often called a stronghold.

Include, as on a list;

A character [thus ] placed over or under a note or rest, and indicating that it is to be prolonged; - called also pause, and corona.

Behave in a certain manner;

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.

Have on hand;

To retain in one's keeping; to maintain possession of, or authority over; not to give up or relinquish; to keep; to defend.

Include as the content; broadcast or publicize;

To have; to possess; to be in possession of; to occupy; to derive title to; as, to hold office.

Propel,

To impose restraint upon; to limit in motion or action; to bind legally or morally; to confine; to restrain.

Pass on a communication;

To maintain in being or action; to carry on; to prosecute, as a course of conduct or an argument; to continue; to sustain.

Have as an inherent or characteristic feature or have as a consequence;

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.

Be conveyed over a certain distance;

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.

Keep up with financial support;

To accept, as an opinion; to be the adherent of, openly or privately; to persist in, as a purpose; to maintain; to sustain.

Have or possess something abstract;

To consider; to regard; to esteem; to account; to think; to judge.

Win approval or support for;

To bear, carry, or manage; as he holds himself erect; he holds his head high.

Compensate for a weaker partner or member by one's own performance;

In general, to keep one's self in a given position or condition; to remain fixed. Hence:

Take further or advance;

Not to move; to halt; to stop; - mostly in the imperative.

Have on the surface or on the skin;

Not to give way; not to part or become separated; to remain unbroken or unsubdued.

Capture after a fight;

Not to fail or be found wanting; to continue; to last; to endure a test or trial; to abide; to persist.

Transfer (entries) from one account book to another

Not to fall away, desert, or prove recreant; to remain attached; to cleave; - often with with, to, or for.

Transfer (a number, cipher, or remainder) to the next column or unit's place before or after, in addition or multiplication;

To restrain one's self; to refrain.

Pursue a line of scent or be a bearer;

To derive right or title; - generally with of.

Bear (a crop);

The act of grasping;

Propel or give impetus to;

Understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something;

Drink alcohol without showing ill effects;

Power by which something or someone is affected or dominated;

Be able to feed;

Time during which some action is awaited;

Have a certain range;

A state of being confined (usually for a short time);

Cover a certain distance or advance beyond;

A stronghold

Secure the passage or adoption (of bills and motions);

A cell in a jail or prison

Be successful in;

The appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it;

Sing or play against other voices or parts;

The space in a ship or aircraft for storing cargo

Be pregnant with;

Organize or be responsible for;

Keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g.,

Have or hold in one's hands or grip;

To close within bounds, limit or hold back from movement;

Have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices;

Have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense;

Keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view;

Contain or hold; have within;

Lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits;

Remain in a certain state, position, or condition;

Maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings);

Assert or affirm;

Remain committed to;

Secure and keep for possible future use or application;

Be the physical support of; carry the weight of;

Hold the attention of;

Keep from exhaling or expelling;

Support or hold in a certain manner;

Have room for; hold without crowding;

Be capable of holding or containing;

Be valid, applicable, or true;

Take and maintain control over, often by violent means;

Protect against a challenge or attack;

Declare to be;

Have as a major characteristic;

Cause to stop;

Bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted;

Cover as for protection against noise or smell;

Drink alcohol without showing ill effects;

Be pertinent or relevant or applicable;

Arrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in advance;

Resist or confront with resistance;

Keep from departing;

Stop dealing with;

Aim, point, or direct;

Be in accord; be in agreement;