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

There is a particular thrill in beholding a portrait as old and as lifelike as Isidora’s, just over a foot in height and 6 inches wide.

From The Wall Street Journal

No surprise, then, that the revival of “Amadeus” that opened Sunday at Pasadena Playhouse is a marvel to behold.

From Los Angeles Times

He tells me, I try that, it works for me, and lo and behold when the race comes, I might beat him.

From BBC

The stark visual panache of the production, however, is an impressive sight to behold.

From Los Angeles Times

Every gesture, word and expression is a marvel to behold, made all the more stunning by the fact that Seyfried essentially plays three different personality types throughout the film.

From Salon