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Synonyms

handhold

American  
[hand-hohld] / ˈhændˌhoʊld /

noun

  1. a grip with the hand or hands.

  2. something to grip or take hold of, as a support or handle.


handhold British  
/ ˈhændˌhəʊld /

noun

  1. an object, crevice, etc, that can be used as a grip or support, as in climbing

  2. a grip or secure hold with the hand or hands

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of handhold

First recorded in 1635–45; hand + hold 1

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.

See Examples For:

“Every afternoon, somebody has to grab for a handhold because the boat gives a little sort of judder,” Hutchinson said.

From New York Times Jun. 9, 2023

Three men were climbing the Gribin Ridge in Eryri, also known as Snowdonia, on Saturday, when the handhold collapsed.

From BBC Feb. 6, 2023

She started as a country singer, has found a handhold firmly in pop, but albums like "Reputation" have a more gritty and experimental feel.

From Salon Dec. 16, 2022

One design resembles a swinging pair of saloon doors, and the other has plastic half-discs on top to prevent gate hoppers from getting a handhold to launch a leap.

From Washington Times Nov. 18, 2022

I grabbed hold of a rope I’d strung there at waist level to serve as a handhold and began to sidestep along the ledge to the corner of the platform.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline

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