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

Explanation

To behold is to see. You could behold the changing sky as the sun sets. It’s old-fashioned and fancy, so magicians like to use it, as in “Behold! I shall pull a rabbit out of my hat!” Have you ever heard "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"? That can help you remember that to behold is to see something and to hold it in your attention. To behold is to look intensely — it’s much more than a glance. A good example of beholding is when you take the time to check out something special like that beautiful sunset, or a bunny hopping out of a hat and handing out candy.

Example Sentences

Or behold their prototypes displayed in a museum behind glass.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

Fact: The speed, power, and precision of U.S. air and naval power is indeed something to behold.

From Slate • Apr. 2, 2026

"This was an incredibly surprising thing to behold," Lima said.

From Science Daily • Mar. 30, 2026

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

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2026

“But—but have you not? Only a short time ago there were four fresh-poured ingots on this bench, and behold, where are they now?”

From "The Golden Goblet" by Eloise Jarvis McGraw