hold
verb (used with object)
to have or keep in the hand; keep fast; grasp.
had been holding
-
past perfect progressiveof hold.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Business Insider reported earlier in the evening that the parties had been holding talks over a deal that could value Hugging Face at north of $13 billion.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 27, 2026
Eight months pregnant, Malawian Fahida Kazembe said she had been holding on to give birth before leaving.
From Barron's ● Jul. 3, 2026
England had been holding that in Kansas to date before flying to the US city where their game is taking place.
From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026
All three of the major HMI indices posted gains in May, as some buyers who had been holding back decided to move forward this spring, the survey said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 18, 2026
The old ones had been holding back silver for King's Landing rather than paying it over to the new King in the North.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
