verb
Common
behold
bih-HOHLD
Behold (verb) means to look at or see something, especially something impressive. Example: “Tourists gathered to behold the sunset over the canyon.”
verb
1
To look at or see something, especially something impressive.
"Tourists gathered to behold the sunset over the canyon."
"Crowds queued for hours to behold the famous painting in person."
"From the summit, you can behold the whole valley glowing in the morning light."
interjection
1
Used to draw attention dramatically to something.
"And behold, the curtain rose to reveal the stage."
"I opened the box, and behold, the missing keys were inside."
"Behold! The magician pulled a rabbit out of his empty hat."
How to use behold
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo see or look at something, often with a sense of awe.
When to use it
Formal or literary; not used in everyday casual speech.
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- beholds
- Past tense
- beheld, beholden
- Archaic forms
- beholdest, beheldst, beholdeth
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Tourists gathered to _____ the sunset over the canyon.
Etymology
From Old English behealdan, meaning "to hold, keep watch on, or observe," built from be- plus "hold."
Related words
Rhymes for behold
See all rhymes for behold →Frequently asked questions
What does “behold” mean?
The word “behold” means to look at or see something, especially something impressive. In plain terms, to see or look at something, often with a sense of awe.
How do you pronounce “behold”?
“Behold” is pronounced bih-HOHLD (/bɪˈhoʊld/ in IPA).
How do you use “behold” in a sentence?
Here is “behold” used in a sentence: “Tourists gathered to behold the sunset over the canyon.”
What is another word for “behold”?
Words with a similar meaning to “behold” include lo.
What part of speech is “behold”?
Depending on how it is used, “behold” can be a verb and an interjection.
Where does the word “behold” come from?
The word “behold” comes from Old English. From Old English behealdan, meaning "to hold, keep watch on, or observe," built from be- plus "hold.".
Is “behold” a common word?
“Behold” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “behold” have?
“Behold” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to look at or see something, especially something impressive.
Is "behold" a formal or old-fashioned word?
Yes, "behold" has a formal, literary, or archaic tone and is far less common in everyday speech than "see" or "look at." It often appears in older texts, religious writing, and dramatic or poetic contexts.
What is the difference between "behold" and "see"?
"Behold" specifically suggests looking at something impressive or noteworthy, carrying a sense of awe or ceremony, while "see" is a neutral, everyday word for any act of vision. "Behold" is rarely used for ordinary, unremarkable sights.
How is "behold" used as an interjection?
As an interjection, "behold" is used to draw dramatic attention to something, similar to saying "look!" or "lo!" For example, "Behold, the mountains!" announces something with emphasis rather than simply describing an act of seeing.
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