hold-down

1 of 2

noun

ˈhōl(d)-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce hold-down (audio)
Synonyms of hold-downnext
1
: something used to fasten an object in place
2
a
: an act of holding down
b
: limit
agreed to wage-rate hold-downs

hold down

2 of 2

verb

held down; holding down; holds down

transitive verb

1
: to keep within limits
hold the noise down
2
: to assume or have responsibility for
holding down two jobs

Synonyms of hold-down

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Verb

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Examples of hold-down in a Sentence

Verb efforts to hold down taxes keep running up against the legislature's ingrained unwillingness to cut spending
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Once the position of the skirts are verified, they will be bolted down to the slab with four hold-down studs each. — Saumya Gupta, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2023 Then, presuming everything checks out, two hold-down mechanisms open and the little rover falls about a meter, in the low lunar gravity, to the ground below. — IEEE Spectrum, 26 June 2023
Verb
Can the New York Knicks hold down home court? — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 June 2026 Rushing, the club’s former top prospect, has held down the everyday duties for much of Smith’s absence. — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for hold-down

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hold-down was in 1533

Rhymes for hold-down

See All Rhymes for hold-down

Browse Nearby Words

hold court
hold-down
hold down
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hold-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hold-down. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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