hold
verb (used with object)
to have or keep in the hand; keep fast; grasp.
was holding
-
past progressiveof hold.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
The 24-year-old model got the apartment from a broker who was holding it off-market.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026
Last fall in Baltimore County, Maryland, a detection system decided a teenager named Taki Allen was holding a firearm.
From Slate ● Aug. 21, 2026
Police found the man, saw that he was holding what looked like a gun, got out of their car and ordered him to stop, according to the release.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
When asked why the Acadian team was holding so many stocks in the fund, McNerney stressed the importance of limiting downside risk.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 12, 2026
The creature was holding on to a star as they flew in the air.
From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova
