behold

verb

be·​hold bi-ˈhōld 

bē-

beheld bi-ˈheld 

bē-

; beholding

transitive verb

1

: to perceive through sight or apprehension : see

2

: to gaze upon : observe

It was a pleasure to behold the beauty of the sunset.

The enormous crowd was a sight to behold.

intransitive verb

—used in the imperative especially to call attention

beholder noun

Synonyms

• appreciate
• apprehend
• assimilate
• catch
• catch on (to)
• cognize
• compass
• comprehend
• conceive
• cotton (to or on to)
• decipher
• decode
• dig
• discern
• get
• grasp
• grok
• intuit
• know
• make
• make out
• perceive
• recognize
• register
• savvy
• see
• seize
• sense
• tumble (to)
• twig
• understand

Examples of behold in a Sentence

Those who have beheld the beauty of the desert never forget it.

to anyone who beholds the immense complexity of life on earth

Recent Examples on the Web

That was the scene to behold at the 16th edition of the Kensington Derby, where participants faced down a 3-mile course culminating in a mud pit at the finish line. —Natalie Escobar, NPR, 24 Dec. 2024

To behold them was to confront a new technological sublime, to be forcibly suspended in a state of disbelief. —Glenn Adamson, ARTnews.com, 16 Dec. 2024

The technicolor production alone makes Babes in Toyland a treasure to behold, but its oddball slapstick comedy pushes it to a different, weirder level than other versions. —Sezín Devi Koehler, EW.com, 6 Dec. 2024

Tonight my knight’s table will truly be a feast to behold. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, to keep, behold, from Old English behealdan, from be- + healdan to hold

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing behold

• a sight to see/behold
• a sight/wonder to behold
• lo and behold

Kids Definition

behold

verb

be·​hold bi-ˈhōld 

beheld -ˌheld  ; beholding

: to look upon : see

beholder noun