behold

American  

[bih-hohld] / bɪˈhoʊld /

verb (used with object)

beheld, beholding

1. to observe; look at; see.

   Synonyms:

   discern, watch, view, regard

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interjection

1. look; see.

   And, behold, three sentries of the King did appear.

behold British  

/ bɪˈhəʊld /

verb

1. to look (at); observe

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Other Word Forms

• beholdable adjective
• beholder noun
• unbeholdable adjective

Etymology

Origin of behold

First recorded before 900; Middle English beholden, Old English behaldan “to keep”; be-, hold ¹

Example Sentences

He went there and, lo and behold, vibrant flowers awaited him.

From Los Angeles Times

We live in miraculous times, its wonders to behold.

From Literature

Even when her film is utterly befuddling, it’s a joy to behold.

From Salon

"And lo and behold, 12 hours later we had the rough version of this thing."

From BBC

And a rising oil price adds to inflation, especially for energy importers—behold South Korea’s 16% stock plunge this past week.

From Barron's