defend
/dɪˈfɛnd/
verb
Common
1.v.argue or speak in defense of
“She supported the motion to strike”
2.v.be on the defensive; act against an attack
3.v.protect against a challenge or attack
“Hold that position behind the trees!”
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defend and hold share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. defend means “argue or speak in defense of”. hold means “cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., `keep clean'”. hold is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/dɪˈfɛnd/
1.v.argue or speak in defense of
“She supported the motion to strike”
2.v.be on the defensive; act against an attack
3.v.protect against a challenge or attack
“Hold that position behind the trees!”
/ˈhoʊld/
1.v.cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., `keep clean'
“hold in place”
2.v.have or hold in one's hands or grip
“Hold this bowl for a moment, please”
3.v.organize or be responsible for
“hold a reception”
| defend | hold | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /dɪˈfɛnd/ | /ˈhoʊld/ |
| Said | di-FEND | hohld |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| Letters | 6 | 4 |
| Parts of speech | verb | verb, noun |
| Senses | 7 | 45 |
| How common | Common | Core |
| Synonyms | support, fend for | keep, maintain |
Full entry for defend · Full entry for hold · More comparisons