hold-down

1 of 2

noun

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

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
Then, 12 hold-down bolts fired and freed the Delta IV Heavy for its climb into space with a top-secret payload for the US government's spy satellite agency. Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 9 Apr. 2024 SpaceX tested the water deluge system several times since April, including on a pair of hold-down engine tests with the Super Heavy booster in August. Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 18 Nov. 2023
Verb
The Yankees fan who held down Dodgers star Mookie Betts' glove in an attempt to pry the baseball out of his hands will not be allowed to return for Game 5. Natasha Dye, People.com, 30 Oct. 2024 Overall inflation last month was held down by a big drop in gas prices, which fell 4.1% from August to September. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near hold-down

Cite this Entry

“Hold-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hold-down. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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