A2 (Elementary)

leave

leave [verb] (NOT TAKE)

to not take something or someone with you when you go, either intentionally or by accident

US /liːv/ 
UK /liːv/ 
Example: 

Hey, you've left your keys on the table.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

verb (leaves, leaving, left /, has left)

1 to go away from a place or a person:
The train leaves at 8.40.
At what age do most people leave school in your country?
We are leaving for France tomorrow.

2 to let somebody or something stay in the same place or in the same way:
Leave the door open, please.

3 to forget to bring something with you:
I left my books at home.
I can't find my glasses. Maybe I left them behind at work.

4 to make something stay; to not use something:
Leave some cake for me!

5 to give something to somebody when you die:
She left all her money to her two sons.

6 to give the responsibility for something to another person:
I'll leave it to you to organize the food.

be left to still be there after everything else has gone:
There is only one piece of cake left.

leave somebody or something alone to not touch, annoy or speak to somebody or something:
Leave me alone – I'm busy!
Leave that bag alone – it's mine!

leave somebody or something out to not put in or do something; to not include somebody or something:
The other children left him out of the game.
I left out question 3 in the exam because it was too difficult.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

leave

I. leave1 S1 W1 /liːv/ BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle left /left/)
[Language: Old English; Origin: læfan]
1. GO AWAY [intransitive and transitive] to go away from a place or a person:
My baby gets upset when I leave the room.
Before leaving the train, make sure you have all your belongings with you.
Leave the motorway at Junction 7.
leave at
The plane leaves at 12.30.
leave for
I tried calling him, but he’d already left for work.
leave (something/somebody) soon/now/later etc
If he left immediately, he’d catch the 7.30 train.
leave (something/somebody) to do something
Frances left work early to meet her mother.
leave somebody doing something
Never leave children playing near water unattended.
leave somebody to something
I’ll leave you to it (=go away and let you continue with what you are doing).
My youngest boy has not left my side (=has stayed near me) since his daddy was killed.
leave somebody in peace (=go away from someone so that they can think, work etc alone)
Just a few more questions, then we’ll leave you in peace.
2. STOP [intransitive and transitive] if you leave your job, home, school etc, you permanently stop doing that job, living at home etc:
Over the past two years, 20 staffers have left.
leave home/school/college etc
How old were you when you left home (=your parents’ home)?
My daughter got a job after she left school.
The lawsuit will be postponed until the president leaves office.
leave a job/country/Spain etc
Many missionaries were forced to leave the country.
It seems that Tony has left the band for good (=permanently).
leave (somebody/something) to do something
Laura left her native England to live in France.
3. leave somebody/something alone
a) to stop annoying or upsetting someone:
Oh, just leave me alone, will you?
Leave the boy alone, he can make up his own mind.
b) to go away from someone so that they are on their own:
Six-year-old Gemma had been left alone in the house.
c) to stop touching something:
Leave that alone. You’ll break it.
d) (also leave well (enough) alone) to stop being involved in or trying to change a situation:
Why can’t they just leave well alone and let us concentrate on teaching?
4. LET SOMETHING/SOMEBODY STAY [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to make or allow something or someone to stay in a place when you go away
leave something/somebody in/with/behind etc
Are you leaving the kids with Grandma on Saturday?
As soon as I’d shut the door, I realized I’d left the keys inside.
Did anybody leave a jacket behind last night?
She left her son in the care of a friend.
leave somebody to do something
He left Ruth to find her own way home.
Students were left to their own devices (=left alone and allowed to do whatever they wanted) for long periods.
leave somebody for dead
The girl had been attacked and left for dead.
5. NOT CHANGE/MOVE SOMETHING [transitive] to let something remain in a particular state, position, or condition
leave something on/off/out etc
You’ve left your lights on.
She must have left the phone off the hook.
leave something open/empty/untidy etc
I wish you’d stop leaving the door open.
The trial left many questions unanswered.
leave a space/gap etc
Leave the next two lines blank for the tutor’s comments.
Drivers should always leave room for cyclists.
leave something doing something
I’ll just leave the engine running while I go in.
Don’t leave tools lying about.
leave something to do something
Leave the pots to soak overnight.
6. RESULT OF ACCIDENT/ILLNESS/EVENT [transitive] if an event, accident, illness etc leaves you in a particular condition, you are in that condition because of it:
An explosion at a chemical plant has left one worker dead and four injured.
leave somebody with something
Although the infection cleared up, he was left with a persistent cough.
leave somebody doing something
The incident left her feeling confused and hurt.
The announcement has left shareholders nursing huge losses.
7. be left (also have something left) if something is left, it remains after everything else has gone, been taken away, or used:
I’ve only got a few dollars left.
There were a couple of seats left at the back.
We don’t have much time left.
He pointed to what was left of the house (=used when very little is left).
All that was left was a pile of bones.
be left over
After we’ve paid the bills, there’s never much left over.
They ate some bread rolls left over from the night before.
8. LETTER/MESSAGE/THING [transitive] to deliver a message, note, package etc for someone or put it somewhere so that they will get it later:
She left a message on his answerphone.
leave somebody something
Can you leave me some money for the bus?
leave something with somebody
Ian left this note with me.
leave something for somebody
A guy left these flowers for you.
9. DELAY [transitive] to not do something or to do it later than you intended:
Leave the dishes. I’ll do them later.
So much had been left undone.
leave something until the last minute/until last
If you leave your preparation until the last minute, you’ll reduce your chances of passing.
I left the best bit until last.
I want to think about it. Can I leave it for now?
I’m afraid you’ve left it too late to change your ticket.
leave it at that (=used to say that you will not do any more of something, because you have done enough)
Let’s leave it at that for today.
10. LET SOMEBODY DECIDE/BE RESPONSIBLE [transitive] to let someone else decide something or be responsible for something
leave something to somebody
Leave it to me. I’ll make sure it gets posted.
The choice of specialist subject is left entirely to the students.
leave it (up) to somebody to do something
I’ll leave it up to you to decide.
She leaves it to the reader to draw their own conclusions.
leave doing something to somebody
Is it okay if I leave writing the results to you?
leave something with somebody
Leave it with me, I’ll fix it for you.
He’s not the sort to leave things to chance (=take no action and just wait to see what happens).
leave somebody with no choice/option (=force someone to take a particular action)
You leave me with no choice but to fire you.
leave somebody to do something British English:
Clive moved to London, leaving Edward to run the Manchester office.
11. HUSBAND/WIFE ETC [intransitive and transitive] to stop living with or having a relationship with your husband, partner etc:
Martha was always threatening to leave, but I never believed her.
leave somebody for somebody
Mr Rushworth left his partner of 10 years for a younger woman.
12. WHEN YOU DIE [transitive]
a) to arrange for someone to receive your money, property etc after you die SYN bequeath:
Aunt Alice died, leaving almost $5 million.
leave somebody something
Hugo left me his mother’s ring.
In his will, he had left all his children a small sum of money.
leave something to somebody/something
Have you thought of leaving a gift to charity after you die?
b) leave a wife/children etc used when someone dies before their wife, children etc:
PC Davis leaves a wife and three small children.
13. MARK [transitive] to make a mark that remains afterwards
leave a mark/stain/scar etc
The wine had left a permanent mark on the tablecloth.
He staggered to the door, leaving a trail of blood.
Make sure that you don’t leave any footprints.
14. NOT EAT/DRINK [transitive] if you leave food or drink that you have been given, you do not eat or drink it:
‘I’m really hungry now.’ ‘That’s because you left half your lunch.’
He rose from the table, leaving his brandy untouched.
15. leave somebody/something standing (also leave somebody/something in the dust American English) informal to be much better, quicker, more successful etc than someone or something else:
In terms of fitness, he discovered that Kate left him standing.
16. leave a lot/something/much to be desired to be very unsatisfactory:
Inspectors say health and safety procedures at the factory leave a lot to be desired.
17. MATHEMATICS [transitive] in a sum, to have a particular amount remaining:
Three from seven leaves four.
18. leave something aside/to one side to not think about or consider one part of something for a time, so that you can consider another part of it:
Leaving aside for a moment the question of expense, what would your view be of the suggested changes?
19. leave somebody/something be old-fashioned to not upset, speak to, or annoy someone or to not touch something
20. leave go/hold of something British English spoken informal to stop holding something
21. leave it to somebody (to do something) American English spoken informal used to say that no one should be surprised that someone does something, because it is typical or expected of them:
Leave it to you to have the whole day planned out!
22. Elvis/somebody/something has left the building especially American English informal used humorously to emphasize that something is definitely over or that someone has gone and will not return
somebody can take it or leave it at ↑take1(21), ⇨ be left holding the baby/bag at ↑hold1(26)
• • •
THESAURUS
■ to leave a place
leave: Just as I was leaving the house, the phone rang. | We left early to avoid the traffic.
go especially spoken to leave somewhere: Come on, boys, it’s time to go. | When does the next bus go?
set off especially British English to leave somewhere and begin a journey: The following day we set off for Vienna.
take off if a plane takes off, it leaves the ground at the beginning of a flight: Our plane took off late because of the fog.
emigrate to leave your own country in order to live permanently in another country: In 2002, his family emigrated to New Zealand.
depart formal to leave – used especially about trains, buses, planes etc: Coaches depart for the airport every 30 minutes.
■ to leave school/college etc
leave especially British English to finish studying at school or college, usually at the age or time when people normally finish: When James left school, he worked for a while with his father. | She found it hard to get a job after leaving university.
graduate to successfully finish your studies at a college or university, or at an American high school: Kelly graduated from Harvard with a degree in East Asian Studies. | Approximately 80% of Americans graduate from high school.
drop out to leave school, college, or university before your course of study has finished, because you do not want to continue with it: I failed my first year exams and decided to drop out and get a job.
quit American English to leave school without finishing your course of study: He quit school at fourteen to work and help support his family.
■ leave your job
leave: I left my last job because the salary was so low. | Why don’t you just leave?
quit to leave your job permanently because you are not happy with it: After enduring months of harassment, Mrs Collins decided to quit her job. | I’ve told them I’m quitting.
resign to officially announce that you have decided to leave your job: The company director was forced to resign over the scandal.
hand in your notice/resignation to write an official letter to your employer saying that you are going to leave your job on a particular date: You have to hand in your notice at least four weeks before you leave.
retire to leave your job in order to stop working permanently, usually because you have reached the age when most people stop working: After forty years of working for the bank, Karl retired in May. | He had to retire because of ill health.
leave somebody/something ↔ behind phrasal verb
1. to not take someone or something with you when you leave a place:
I think I might have left my wallet behind.
He departed for Washington, leaving the children behind with their mother.
2. if a person, country, or organization is left behind, they do not develop as quickly or make as much progress as other people, countries etc:
In class, a child with poor eyesight can soon get left behind.
a fear of being left behind by better-organized rivals
3. (also leave somebody/something behind you) to permanently stop being involved with a person, place or situation:
It’s time to leave the past behind.
Although Armstrong overcame the circumstances of his birth, he never really left New Orleans behind.
4. (also leave somebody/something behind you) to move away from someone or something:
They had left the city behind and were heading into open country.
Sarah, with her long legs, soon left the rest of us far behind.
5. (also leave something behind you) to produce a thing or situation that remains after you have gone:
He drove off, leaving behind him a trail of blue smoke.
the mess the previous government left behind
leave off phrasal verb
1. to stop doing something
take up/pick up/continue (something) etc where somebody left off (=continue something that has stopped for a short time)
Barry took up the story where Justine had left off.
leave off doing something British English informal:
‘Will you leave off nagging?’ he snarled.
2. leave somebody/something off (something) to not include something such as someone’s name in a list or other document:
Why was her name left off the list?
leave somebody/something ↔ out phrasal verb
1. to not include someone or something:
She outlined the case to him, being careful not to leave anything out.
leave somebody/something out of something
Kidd has been left out of the team.
2. be/feel left out to feel that you are not accepted or welcome in a situation:
New fathers often feel left out when baby arrives.
3. leave it out! British English spoken used to tell someone to stop lying, pretending, or being annoying

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

leave

leave [leave leaves left leaving] verb, noun   [liːv]    [liːv] 

verb (left, left   [left]  ;   [left]  

 

PLACE/PERSON
1. intransitive, transitive to go away from a person or a place
Come on, it's time we left.
~ for… The plane leaves for Dallas at 12.35.
~ sth I hate leaving home.

• The plane leaves Heathrow at 12.35.  

 

HOME/JOB/SCHOOL
2. intransitive, transitive to stop living at a place, belonging to a group, working for an employer, etc
• My secretary has threatened to leave.

~ sth (BrE) Some children leave school at 16.  

 

 

WIFE/HUSBAND
3. transitive ~ sb (for sb) to leave your wife, husband or partner permanently

• She's leaving him for another man.  

 

STH TO DO LATER
4. transitive to not do sth or deal with sth immediately
~ sth Leave the dishes— I'll do them later.

~ sth until… Why do you always leave everything until the last moment?  

 

SB/STH IN CONDITION/PLACE
5. transitive to make or allow sb/sth to remain in a particular condition, place, etc
~ sb/sth (+ adj.) Leave the door open, please.
The bomb blast left 25 people dead.
~ sb/sth doing sth Don't leave her waiting outside in the rain.

~ sb/sth to do sth Leave the rice to cook for 20 minutes.

6. transitive to make sth happen or remain as a result
~ sth Red wine leaves a stain.
~ sb with sth She left me with the impression that she was unhappy with her job.

~ sb sth I'm afraid you leave me no choice.

7. be left transitive to remain to be used, sold, etc
Is there any coffee left?
How many tickets do you have left?
~ of sth (figurative) They are fighting to save what is left of their business.

~ to sb The only course of action left to me was to notify her employer.

8. transitive to go away from a place without taking sth/sb with you
~ sth/sb (+ adv./prep.) I've left my bag on the bus.
~ sth/sb behind Don't leave any of your belongings behind.

• He wasn't well, so we had to leave him behind.  

 

MATHEMATICS
9. transitive ~ sth to have a particular amount remaining

• Seven from ten leaves three.  

 

AFTER DEATH
10. transitive ~ sb to have family remaining after your death

• He leaves a wife and two children.

11. transitive to give sth to sb when you die
Syn:  bequeath
~ sth (to sb) She left £1 million to her daughter.

~ sb sth She left her daughter £1 million.  

 

RESPONSIBILITY TO SB
12. transitive to allow sb to take care of sth
~ sb/sth + adv./prep. You can leave the cooking to me.
She left her assistant in charge.
Leave it with me — I'm sure I can sort it out.
‘Where shall we eat?’ ‘I'll leave it entirely (up) to you (= you can decide).’
• They left me with all the clearing up.

~ sb/sth to do sth I was left to cope on my own.  

 

DELIVER
13. transitive to deliver sth and then go away
~ sth (for sb) Someone left this note for you.

~ sb sth Someone left you this note.

Rem: Most idioms containing leave are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example leave sb in the lurch is at lurch.
more at sb can take it or leave it at  take 
 
Word Origin:
v. Old English lǣfan ‘bequeath’ ‘allow to remain, leave in place’ Germanic German bleiben ‘remain’
n. Old English lēaf ‘permission’ West Germanic lief love
 
Thesaurus:
leave verb
1. I, T
Come on— it's time we left.
gogo awayget awaygo offset offtake offstart|especially BrE be/go on your way|especially BrE, spoken be off|especially AmE, spoken get out of here|formal departexit
Opp: arrive, Opp: enter
leave/go/go away/get away/set off/take off/start/depart/exit from sb/sth
leave/go/go away/get away/go off/set off/take off/start/be on your way/depart at 9 a.m./midnight, etc.
be ready/about/going to leave/go/go away/set off/take off/start/depart
Leave or go away? Leave is used in ways that emphasize the act or time of leaving sb/sth; go away emphasizes the need or desire of the speaker to be somewhere else or for another person to be somewhere else.
2. T, I
Villagers left to seek work in the towns.
movemove outquitrelocateemigratemigrate
Opp: stay on
move/move out/relocate/emigrate/migrate from to
leave/quit your home/school/college/job
threaten to leave/move out/quit
decide/plan/want to leave/move/move out/quit/relocate/emigrate
3. I, T
Workers are threatening to leave.
resigngive in/hand in your noticeretirestep downstand down|informal quit|AmE business depart
Opp: stay on
leave/resign from/reitre from/step down from/stand down from/quit/depart a post/position
decide to leave/resign/hand in your notice/retire/step down/stand down/quit
be ready/going to leave/resign/retire/step down/stand down/quit
4. T
She's leaving him for another man.
abandondesertstrandturn your back on sb/sthneglect|informal dumpwalk out (on sb)
leave/desert/dump sb for sb else
leave/abandon/desert/neglect/dump/walk out on a husband/wife
leave/abandon/desert/dump a lover
abandon/desert/neglect a child
5. T
I left my bag on the bus.
loseforget|especially BrE, formal mislay
leave/lose/forget/mislay your keys/wallet/bag
6. T
She left £1 million to her daughter in her will.
pass sth on|formal bequeath
leave/pass on/bequeath sth to sb
leave/pass on/bequeath a/an legacy/property/estate
leave/bequeath (sb) your money/art collection
7. T
Leave the cooking to me.
hand sth overrefer sb/sth to sb/sthdelegate|especially AmE turn sth over to sb|formal entrust
leave/hand over/turn over/refer/delegate/entrust sth to sb
leave/entrust sb with sth
leave/hand over/turn over/delegate the task/job/responsibility/management of sth to sb 
Example Bank:
Did you want something? I was just about to leave.
I wanted to leave but they wouldn't let me.
They left for Scotland this morning.
They were being extremely rowdy and the manager had to ask them leave.
They were caught trying to leave the country.
We were all packed and ready to leave.
Are you ready to leave yet?
Come on— it's time we left.
Don't leave any of your belongings behind.
He had left the organization some years before.
He wasn't well, so we had to leave him behind.
Hundreds of villagers have already left to seek work in the towns.
I leave it to you to decide what order to do things in.
I left my bag on the bus.
I worked in Hong Kong after I left university.
I've left my phone somewhere but I can't remember where.
If we leave now, we should make it in time.
John says he left the restaurant at around midnight.
Leave it with me — I'm sure I can sort it out.
My assistant is threatening to leave.
She claims she was forced to leave her job after she became pregnant.
She left school at 14 with no qualifications.
She refused to leave until she had talked to an officer.
She's leaving him for another man.
The family had left in a hurry, leaving all their belongings behind.
They got into an argument and were asked to leave.
Too many teachers are leaving the profession for higher-paid jobs.
Idioms: by your leave  leave go  leave it at that  leave it out  take leave  take leave of your senses  without a by your leave; without so much as a by your leave

Derived: leave off  leave somebody behind  leave somebody off  leave somebody out  leave something aside  left over 

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

leave

leave (GOODBYE) /liːv/
noun
take leave to say goodbye:
He decided the time had come to take leave of his home town.

 

leave (HOLIDAY) /liːv/
noun [U]
time permitted away from work for holiday or illness:
How much annual/paid leave do you get?
She's (gone) on leave (= holiday).
I've asked if I can take a week's unpaid leave.

 

leave (PERMISSION) /liːv/
noun [U] FORMAL
permission or agreement:
He did it without (my) leave.
[+ to infinitive] Did you get leave to do that?

 

leave (GIVE RESPONSIBILITY) /liːv/
verb [T] left, left
to allow someone to make a choice or decision about something, or to make someone responsible for something:
I left the decision (up) to her.
[+ to infinitive] I left it to her to make the decision.
Leave it (= the problem) with me, I'll see what I can do.
I'll leave it to chance (= wait and see what happens without planning).

 

leave (STOP) /liːv/
verb [T] left, left
to stop doing something, or to leave a place because you have finished an activity:
Many children leave school at sixteen.
He left work in June for health reasons.
She left home (= stopped living with her parents) at 18.
She's left her husband (= stopped living with him) and gone to live with another man.
Could we leave that subject (= stop discussing that subject) for the moment and go on to the next item on the agenda?

leave (NOT TAKE) /liːv/
verb left, left
1 [T] to not take something or someone with you when you go, either intentionally or by accident:
Hey, you've left your keys on the table.
Can I leave a message for Sue?
Why don't you leave the kids with me on Friday?

2 If something leaves something else, a part or effect of it stays after it has gone or been used:
His shoes left muddy marks on the floor.
There's some food left over from the party.
[+ two objects] If I give you £10 that won't leave me enough cash to pay the bill.
[+ object + adjective] Far from improving things the new law has left many people worse off (= they are now in a worse situation) than before.

3 [T] To leave a wife, husband or other close family member is to die while these family members are still alive:
He left a wife and two children.

4 [T] If you leave something in a particular condition you do not touch it, move it or act to change it in any way, so that it stays in the same condition:
Leave that chair where it is.
He left most of his dinner (= did not eat much of it).
[+ object + adjective] The family were left (= became and continued to be) homeless.
I'll have to go back - I think I've left the iron on.
You can leave the window open.
Leave your sister alone (= Stop annoying her).

5 [T + object + ing form of verb] If you leave something or someone doing something, when you go away they are still doing it:
I left the children watching television.
He left the engine running.

6 [T] If you leave (doing) something, you wait before you do it:
I'll leave these letters till Monday (= write them on Monday).
Don't leave it too late (= Don't wait too long to do it).
[+ ing form of verb] They left booking their holiday till/to the last minute.

7 [+ two objects] If you leave money or things that you own to someone, you say they should receive it or them when you die:
He left his nieces all his money./He left all his money to his nieces.

leave (GO AWAY) /liːv/
verb [I or T] left, left
to go away from someone or something, for a short time or permanently:
I'll be leaving at five o'clock tomorrow.
He left the house by the back door.
She left the group of people she was with and came over to speak to us.
The bus leaves in five minutes.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

leave

[li͟ːv]
 
 leaves, leaving, left
 1) VERB If you leave a place or person, you go away from that place or person.
  [V n] He would not be allowed to leave the country...
  [V n] I simply couldn't bear to leave my little girl...
  My flight leaves in less than an hour...
  [V for n] The last of the older children had left for school.
 2) VERB If you leave an institution, group, or job, you permanently stop attending that institution, being a member of that group, or doing that job.
  [V n] He left school with no qualifications...
  I am leaving to concentrate on writing fiction.
  [V-ing] ...a leaving present.
 3) VERB If you leave your husband, wife, or some other person with whom you have had a close relationship, you stop living with them or you finish the relationship.
  [V n] He'll never leave you. You need have no worry...
  [V n for n] I would be insanely jealous if Bill left me for another woman. [Also V]
 4) VERB If you leave something or someone in a particular place, you let them remain there when you go away. If you leave something or someone with a person, you let them remain with that person so they are safe while you are away.
  [V n prep/adv] I left my bags in the car...
  [V n prep/adv] Don't leave your truck there...
  [V n prep/adv] From the moment that Philippe had left her in the bedroom at the hotel, she had heard nothing of him...
  [V n with n] Leave your key with a neighbour in case you lock yourself out one day.
 5) VERB If you leave a message or an answer, you write it, record it, or give it to someone so that it can be found or passed on.
  [V n prep/adv] You can leave a message on our answering machine...
  [V n] Decide whether the ball is in square A, B, C, or D, then call and leave your answer...
  [V n with n] I left my phone number with several people.
 6) VERB If you leave someone doing something, they are doing that thing when you go away from them.
  [V n -ing] Salter drove off, leaving Callendar surveying the scene.
 7) VERB If you leave someone to do something, you go away from them so that they do it on their own. If you leave someone to himself or herself, you go away from them and allow them to be alone.
  [V n to-inf] I'd better leave you to get on with it, then...
  [V n to it] Diana took the hint and left them to it...
  [be V-ed to pron-refl] One of the advantages of a department store is that you are left to yourself to try things on...
  [V n to n] He quietly slipped away and left me to my tears. [Also V n to pron-refl]
 8) VERB To leave an amount of something means to keep it available after the rest has been used or taken away.
  [V n for n] He always left a little food for the next day...
  [V n n] Double rooms at any of the following hotels should leave you some change from ₤150.
 9) VERB If you take one number away from another, you can say that it leaves the number that remains. For example, five take away two leaves three.
  Syn:
  equal
 10) VERB To leave someone with something, especially when that thing is unpleasant or difficult to deal with, means to make them have it or make them responsible for it.
  [V n with n] ...a crash which left him with a broken collar-bone...
  [V n with n] He left me with a child to support.
 11) VERB If an event leaves people or things in a particular state, they are in that state when the event has finished.
  [V n adj] ...violent disturbances which have left at least ten people dead...
  [V n prep/adv] The documentary left me in a state of shock...
  [V n prep/adv] So where does that leave me?
 12) VERB If you leave food or drink, you do not eat or drink it, often because you do not like it.
  [V n] If you don't like the cocktail you ordered, just leave it and try a different one.
 13) VERB If something leaves a mark, effect, or sign, it causes that mark, effect, or sign to remain as a result.
  [V n] A muscle tear will leave a scar after healing...
  [V n] She left a lasting impression on him.
 14) VERB If you leave something in a particular state, position, or condition, you let it remain in that state, position, or condition.
  [V n adj] He left the album open on the table...
  [V n adv/prep] I've left the car lights on...
  [V n -ing] I left the engine running.
 15) VERB If you leave a space or gap in something, you deliberately make that space or gap.
  [V n] Leave a gap at the top and bottom so air can circulate.
 16) VERB If you leave a job, decision, or choice to someone, you give them the responsibility for dealing with it or making it.
  [V n to n] Affix the blue airmail label and leave the rest to us...
  [V it to n to-inf] The judge should not have left it to the jury to decide...
  [V n to-inf] For the moment, I leave you to take all decisions.
 17) VERB (disapproval) If you say that something such as an arrangement or an agreement leaves a lot to another thing or person, you are critical of it because it is not adequate and its success depends on the other thing or person.
  [V amount to n] The ceasefire leaves a lot to the goodwill of the forces involved...
  [V amount to n] It's a vague formulation that leaves much to the discretion of local authorities.
 18) VERB To leave someone a particular course of action or the opportunity to do something means to let it be available to them, while restricting them in other ways.
  [V n n] He was left with no option but to resign.
 19) VERB If you leave something until a particular time, you delay doing it or dealing with it until then.
  [V n until/to n] Don't leave it all until the last minute.
  ●
  PHRASE: V inflects If you leave something too late, you delay doing it so that when you eventually do it, it is useless or ineffective.
  I hope I haven't left it too late.
 20) VERB If you leave a particular subject, you stop talking about it and start discussing something else.
  [V n] I think we'd better leave the subject of Nationalism...
  [V n prep/adv] He suggested we get together for a drink sometime. I said I'd like that, and we left it there.
 21) VERB If you leave property or money to someone, you arrange for it to be given to them after you have died.
  [V n to n] He died two and a half years later, leaving everything to his wife.
 22) VERB: no cont If you say that someone leaves a wife, husband, or a particular number of children, you mean that the wife, husband, or children remain alive after that person has died. [FORMAL]
  [V n] It is for his humanity as much as his music that his numerous friends and pupils will remember him. He leaves a wife, son and daughter.
 23) N-UNCOUNT: oft on N Leave is a period of time when you are not working at your job, because you are on holiday or vacation, or for some other reason. If you are on leave, you are not working at your job.
  Why don't you take a few days' leave?
  ...maternity leave...
  He is home on leave from the Navy.
 24) N-UNCOUNT: N to-inf If you ask for leave to do something, you ask for permission to do it. [FORMAL]
  ...an application for leave to appeal against the judge's order.
  Syn:
  permission
 25) → See also left
 26) PHRASE: V inflects If you leave someone or something alone, or if you leave them be, you do not pay them any attention or bother them.
  Some people need to confront a traumatic past; others find it better to leave it alone...
  Why can't you leave him be?
 27) PHR-PREP: PREP n You use leaving aside or leaving to one side when mentioning a fact or detail that you want to ignore when making a general statement.
  Leaving aside the question of privacy, constant surveillance can be remarkably convenient.
 28) PHRASE: V inflects When you take your leave or take leave of someone, you say goodbye and go. [FORMAL]
  He thanked them for the pleasure of their company and took his leave.
 29) PHRASE: V inflects If someone tells you to leave well alone, they are telling you not to interfere in something, because it is all right as it is and you might only make it worse.
  He knew when to leave well alone and when to interfere.
 30) PHRASE: PHR after v, oft from PHR If something continues from where it left off, it starts happening again at the point where it had previously stopped.
  As soon as the police disappear the violence will take up from where it left off.
 31) to leave a lot to be desiredsee desire
 to leave someone to their own devicessee device
 to take leave of your sensessee sense
 take it or leave itsee take
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - leave behind
  - leave off
  - leave out

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

1leave /ˈliːv/ verb leaves; left /ˈlɛft/; leav·ing
1 a : to go away from (a place)

[+ obj]

• What time will you leave the office?
• Don't leave home without your wallet.
• I left the party at seven o'clock.

[no obj]

• We will leave at 10 o'clock.
• Are we leaving soon?
• She left quickly.
• They left by bus.
• The train left an hour ago but another will be arriving soon.
- often + for
• We're leaving for the game in an hour.
• The train left from Paris for Barcelona an hour ago.
b [+ obj] : to go away from (a place) to live in a different place
• They left the country for a new life in the city.
• He left town a month ago.
• He left home [=left his parent's house and lived somewhere else] after graduating from high school.
2 a [+ obj] : to go away from (a person)
• She left her friends and went home.
• We left him so that he could do his work. = We left him to his work. = He had work to do, so we left him to it.
• We left him doing his work. [=he was doing his work when we left him]
b : to stop living with and having a close personal relationship with (someone)

[+ obj]

• His mother left [=abandoned, deserted] him when he was very young.
• He left his wife and children.
• His wife left him for another man.

[no obj]

• He hasn't been the same since his wife left.
3 a [+ obj] : to give up or stop having (a job, position, etc.)
• He left [=quit] his job and went back to school.
• a politician who will be leaving office next year
b : to stop attending, belonging to, or working for (a school, a group, an organization, etc.)

[+ obj]

• She left school and got a job.
• She left our team and joined another one.
• He has one more year before he leaves the army.
• He's going to be leaving the company soon and starting his own business.

[no obj]

• You must give the company two weeks' notice before leaving.
c [+ obj] : to stop participating in (something, such as a game)
• The starting quarterback had to leave the game because of an injury.
• When did she leave the meeting?
4 [+ obj]
a : to go away and allow or cause (something or someone) to remain
• Please leave your books at home.
• You may leave your things in this room. : to put or bring (something or someone) somewhere and go away
• I left the groceries on the table.
• Please leave the package by the door.
• We left a turkey (roasting) in the oven.
• I left my brother at the airport.
• They left their dog in the car.
b
✦If you leave someone or something with someone, you allow someone to keep and care for someone or something while you are away.
• They went out to dinner and left their children (home) with a babysitter.
• We left our dog with the neighbors while we went on vacation.
c : to go away and forget or neglect to take (something)
• He left [=forgot] his wallet at the restaurant.
• I left my homework in my car.
• Did you leave your key in the door again?
d : to go away permanently without taking (something or someone)
• He left nothing in his old apartment.
- often + behind
• They left behind everything they owned.
• We had to leave our family and friends behind.
• He left it all behind. [=took nothing with him]
• I wanted to leave the past behind. [=forget about the past]
5 [+ obj] : to put (something) in a place for another person to take or have
• Did she leave a package for me?
• We left a good tip for our waitress. = We left our waitress a good tip.
• I left a message (for you) on your answering machine.
• He left his name and phone number.
6 [+ obj]
a : to allow someone else to deal with or do (something) - often + with
• “It's a pretty complicated problem.” “Leave it with me: I'll see what I can do.”
- often + for
• You don't have to wash the dishes. Just leave them for me. [=I will wash the dishes]
- often + to
Leave your computer problems to the experts. [=let the experts solve your computer problems]
• That kind of decision should be left to the parents.
• They left the decision (up) to me.
• She left it to the readers to decide the story's ending.
• I'll leave it (up) to you (to decide) whether or not we go to the movies.
• I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions.
- sometimes used figuratively
• Whether or not we have a picnic will be left (up) to the weather. [=will be determined by the weather]
b
✦In informal U.S. English, you can say leave it to someone (to do something), when someone has acted in a way that is typical or expected.
Leave it to my mom to make everyone feel comfortable. [=my mom always makes everyone feel comfortable]
c
✦If people leave you to do something, they do not help you do it.
• He left me to find my own way home.
• She was left to finish the job by herself.
• I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions.
• I was left to fend for myself.
7 [+ obj] : to cause (something or someone) to be or remain in a specified condition or position
• Years of pollution has left [=made] the water undrinkable.
• Their argument left him angry and confused.
• The accident left him paralyzed.
• Your kind words leave me speechless.
• I'll leave the door unlocked for you.
• She left the door/window open.
• Did you leave the lights on?
• Much was left undone.
• Let's just leave it at that. [=let's not change it or discuss it further]
- often + -ing verb
• They cut down the trees but left the rosebushes standing.
• It left them wondering when it would all end.
- often + with
• I don't want to punish you, but your actions leave me (with) no/little choice. [=your actions make it necessary for me to punish you]
• They were left with no option but to sell their car. [=they were forced to sell their car]
8 [+ obj]
a : to allow (something) to remain available or unused
• He wanted to leave a way out for himself. = He wanted to leave himself a way out.
• Please leave space/room for another chair.
• Don't eat too much. You need to leave room for dessert. [=you need to leave enough room in your stomach so that you can eat dessert]
• That doesn't leave much room for discussion.
b
✦An amount that is left (over) or that you have left (over) is an amount that remains after the rest has been used or taken away.
• There is only one piece of bread left. [=remaining]
• After feeding 20 people, there was nothing left for me.
• How much time do we have left before we can go home?
• There was no one left in the city after the parade.
• Do we have any pizza left over from last night?
• We have many decorations left over from the party.
9 [+ obj] : to cause (something) to remain as a result, mark, or sign
• The cut left an ugly scar.
• The grape juice left a stain on the carpet.
• The rain is leaving a thin layer of ice on the roads.
• The thief was careful not to leave any clues.
• We promise we won't leave a mess.
• His visit left a lasting impression on our family.
• The experience left a bad taste in my mouth. [=the experience made me feel bad or disgusted]
10 [+ obj]
a : to have (family members) living after your death
• He left (behind) a widow and two children.
• She leaves (behind) 7 children and 28 grandchildren.
b : to give (something, such as money or property) to (someone) after your death
• She left a fortune to her husband.
• His parents left him a house and a small amount of money.
11 [+ obj] mathematics : to have (a number) as a remainder
• Taking 7 from 10 leaves 3.
I must love you and leave you
- see 2love
leave much to be desired
- see 1desire
leave no stone unturned
- see 1stone
leave off [phrasal verb]
1 : to stop before finishing a story, conversation, etc.
• Let's begin where we left off.
• Where did we leave off in our conversation?
2 leave off (doing something) informal : to stop (doing something)
• They finally left off trying to reach an agreement.
leave out [phrasal verb] leave out (someone or something) or leave (someone or something) out : to not include or mention (someone or something)
• The movie leaves a lot out of the story.
• You left out the best part.
• Did everyone get a piece of cake? I don't want to leave anyone out.
• They always leave her out of the conversation.
• He always feels left out when his friends talk about sports.
leave (someone) guessing
- see 1guess
leave (someone) in the dust
- see 1dust
leave (someone) in the lurch
- see 3lurch
leave (someone or something) alone : to not bother or touch (someone or something)
• Please leave the baby alone. She needs to sleep.
• Please leave the vase alone.
leave (someone or something) be : to not bother or touch (someone or something)
• Please leave [=let] me be.
leave (someone or something) for dead
- see 1dead
leave (someone) out in the cold
- see 2cold
leave (something) to the imagination
- see imagination
leave well enough alone or Brit leave well alone : to stop changing something that is already good enough
• He just doesn't know when to leave well enough alone.
leave you cold
- see 1cold
leave you to your own devices
- see device
left at the altar
- see altar
take it or leave it
- see 1take

video

video [noun] (FILM)

A recording of moving pictures and sound, especially as a digital file, DVD, etc

US /ˈvɪd.i.oʊ/ 
UK /ˈvɪd.i.əʊ/ 
Example: 

I'd ​far ​rather go to the ​theatre than ​watch a video.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

video

 noun (plural videos)

1 (also videotape) tape in a plastic box (called a cassette) on which a film, TV programme or real event is recorded:
You can get this film on video or on DVD.
We stayed at home and watched a video.
They made a video of the wedding.

2 (British) (also video recorder) a machine connected to a television, that you use for recording or showing programmes:
Have you set the video?

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

video

I. video1 S1 W2 /ˈvɪdiəʊ $ -dioʊ/ BrE AmE noun (plural videos)
1. [uncountable and countable] a copy of a film or television programme, or a series of events, recorded on ↑videotape
hire a video British English rent a video American English:
How much does it cost to hire videos?
Let’s stay at home and watch a video.
Rewind the video right to the beginning.
The school will be making a video of the play.
on video
The movie has not yet been released on video.
coming soon to a video store near you
2. [countable] a plastic box containing special tape for recording programmes and films on television SYN videotape, video cassette:
Have we got a blank video (=one with nothing recorded on it yet) anywhere?
3. [countable] British English a machine used to record television programmes or show videos SYN VCR, video cassette recorder
programme/set the video
Can you set the video to record the football match?
4. [uncountable] the process of recording or showing television programmes, films, real events etc on ↑videotape:
The course aims to help children learn through video.
5. [countable] a short film that is made to go with a particular piece of popular music SYN music video
6. [countable] a ↑digital recording of an event, for example one made using a ↑mobile phone:
a video clip shown on the Internet
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 4)
■ video + NOUN
video footage Police are currently studying video footage to identify the rioters.
a video recording Can a video recording of an interview with a child be used in a court as evidence?
a video image (=a moving picture on a video) Video images of the surgery are sent to a special lecture theatre, so that students can observe.
a video clip (=a short video) You can download video clips from the Internet.
video evidence (=a recording of events, used in a court) Video evidence of illegal activities can later be used in court.
■ verbs
record something on video She had no idea that her purchase was being recorded on video.
be captured/caught on video (=recorded on video) The crime was captured on video.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

video

video [video videos] noun, verb   [ˈvɪdiəʊ]    [ˈvɪdioʊ]

noun (pl. videos)
1. (also video·tape) uncountable, countable a type of magnetic tape used for recording moving pictures and sound; a box containing this tape, also called a video cassette
The movie will be released on video in June.

• Do we have a blank video?

2. uncountable a system of recording moving pictures and sound, either using videotape or a digital method of storing data
• A wedding is the perfect subject for video.

• the use of video in schools

3. countable a copy of a film/movie, programme, etc. that is recorded on videotape
a video of ‘ET’
a home video (= not a professional one)

• a video shop/store

 

4. (also ˈmusic video) countable a short film made by a pop or rock band to be shown with a song when it is played on television

5. (also ˈvideo clip) countable a short film or recording of an event, made using digital technology and viewed on a computer, especially over the Internet
The school made a short promotional video.

• Upload your videos and share them with friends and family online.

6. countable (BrE) =  video cassette recorder
to programme the video to record the football match  
Word Origin:
1930s: from Latin videre ‘to see’, on the pattern of audio.  
Collocations:
Cinema/the movies
Watching
go to/take sb to (see) a film/movie
go to/sit in (BrE) the cinema/(NAmE) the (movie) theater
rent a film/movie/DVD
download a film/movie/video
burn/copy/rip a DVD
see/watch a film/movie/DVD/video/preview/trailer
Showing
show/screen a film/movie
promote/distribute/review a film/movie
(BrE) be on at the cinema
be released on/come out on/be out on DVD
captivate/delight/grip/thrill the audience
do well/badly at the box office
get a lot of/live up to the hype
Film-making
write/co-write a film/movie/script/screenplay
direct/produce/make/shoot/edit a film/movie/sequel/video
make a romantic comedy/a thriller/an action movie
do/work on a sequel/remake
film/shoot the opening scene/an action sequence/footage (of sth)
compose/create/do/write the soundtrack
cut/edit (out) a scene/sequence
Acting
have/get/do an audition
get/have/play a leading/starring/supporting role
play a character/James Bond/the bad guy
act in/appear in/star in a film/movie/remake
do/perform/attempt a stunt
work in/make it big in Hollywood
forge/carve/make/pursue a career in Hollywood
Describing films
the camera pulls back/pans over sth/zooms in (on sth)
the camera focuses on sth/lingers on sth
shoot sb/show sb in extreme close-up
use odd/unusual camera angles
be filmed/shot on location/in a studio
be set/take place in London/in the '60s
have a happy ending/plot twist 
Example Bank:
An amateur video of the crash failed to reveal the cause.
Did you remember to set the video for ‘EastEnders’?
He posted a video on his website
I can't find the video channel on this television.
She started making a video diary of her life.
The band are in Iceland doing a video shoot.
The children can sit for hours watching videos.
The film is already out on video.
The group's new video will be released next month.
The infamous video nasty is now a cult film.
The jury watched video footage of the riots.
The speech was broadcast via a video link to thousands standing outside.
The thief was caught on video as he pocketed watches and rings.
Their teacher showed them a video about the Inuit.
They produce educational videos for learning languages.
They sell both blank and pre-recorded videos.
This article and the accompanying video takes you through each stage step by step.
Video files can be readily transmitted over digital broadband.
We rent videos nearly every weekend.
You need a broadband Internet connection to stream video online.
a review of the latest video releases
a security video of the attack
• The school made a short promotional video.

• You can view and share video clips on this website.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

video / ˈvɪd.i.əʊ /   / -oʊ / noun ( plural videos ) (FILM)

A2 [ U or C ] a recording of moving pictures and sound, especially as a digital file, DVD, etc.:

My new laptop handles video really well.

People can upload videos of their pets to this website.

We had a video made of our wedding.

"Avatar" is now available on video.

→  See also tape noun (RECORDING)

A2 [ C ] ( also music video ) a short film made to advertise a popular song

 

video / ˈvɪd.i.əʊ /   / -oʊ / noun [ C ] ( plural videos ) (MACHINE)

UK for videocassette recorder

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

video

/vɪdioʊ/
(videos, videoing, videoed)

Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.

1.
A video is a film or television programme recorded on tape for people to watch on a television set.
...the makers of films and videos.
N-COUNT

2.
Video is the system of recording films and events on tape so that people can watch them on a television set.
She has watched the race on video.
...manufacturers of audio and video equipment.
N-UNCOUNT: oft on N

3.
A video is a machine that you can use to record television programmes and play videotapes on a television set. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use VCR)
He’d set the video for 8.00.
= video recorder, VCR
N-COUNT

4.
If you video a television programme or event, you record it on tape using a video recorder or video camera, so that you can watch it later. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use tapevideotape)
She had been videoing the highlights of the tournament...
= videotape, tape
VERB: V n

5.
Video is a system by which you can see television images or films on your computer, rather than on a television set.
N-UNCOUNT

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

1vid·eo /ˈvɪdijoʊ/ noun, pl -eos
1 [count] : a movie, television show, event, etc., that has been recorded onto a videocassette, DVD, etc., so that it can be watched on a television or computer screen
• We're going to rent a couple of videos to watch this weekend.
• She was talking about a popular video she saw on the Internet.
• The video of their wedding was made by a professional company.
• They showed us some of their home videos. [=recordings that they had made using a video camera]
2 [noncount]1videotape 1
• The movie is available on video and DVD.
3 [count] : a recorded performance of a song in which visual images are shown together with the music
• a TV channel that plays videos all day
• Her latest music video was first released on the Internet.
4 [noncount] : the moving images that are seen in a recording or broadcast
• The audio is OK but there's a problem with the video.

online

online [adjective]

Describes products, services, or information that can be bought or used on the internet

US /ˈɑːn.laɪn/ 
UK /ˈɒn.laɪn/ 
Example: 

An online newspaper/magazine/dictionary

Oxford Essential Dictionary

online

 adjective, adverb
using a computer or the Internet:
Online shopping is both cheap and convenient.
Bookings can be made online.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

online

online /ˈɒnlaɪn $ ˈɑːn-, ˈɒːn-/ BrE AmE adjective
1. connected to other computers through the Internet, or available through the Internet OPP offline:
All the city’s schools will be online by the end of the year.
2. directly connected to or controlled by a computer OPP offline:
an online printer
—online adverb:
The reports are not available online yet.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

online

I. on·line [online]   [ˌɒnˈlaɪn]    [ˌɑːnˈlaɪn]    [ˌɔːnˈlaɪn]  adjective
controlled by or connected to a computer or to the Internet
Online shopping is both cheap and convenient.
an online database
online dating (= using the Internet to meet people in order to start a romantic relationship)  
Collocations:
Email and the Internet
Email
receive/get/open an email
write/send/answer/forward/delete an email
check/read/access your email
block/filter (out) junk/spam/unsolicited email
exchange email addresses
open/check your inbox
junk mail fills/floods/clogs your inbox
have/set up an email account
open/send/contain an attachment
sign up for/receive email alerts
Connecting to the Internet
use/access/log onto the Internet/the Web
go online/on the Internet
have a high-speed/dial-up/broadband/wireless (Internet) connection
access/connect to/locate the server
use/open/close/launch a/your web browser
browse/surf/search/scour the Internet/the Web
send/contain/spread/detect a (computer/email) virus
update your anti-virus software
install/use/configure a firewall
accept/enable/block/delete cookies
Using the Internet
visit/check a website/an Internet site/sb's blog
create/design/launch a website/social networking site
start/write/post/read a blog
update your blog/a website
be in/meet sb in/go into/enter an Internet chat room
download/upload music/software/a song/a podcast/a file/a copy of sth
share information/data/files
post a comment/message on a website/an online message board/a web forum/an internet chat room
stream video/audio/music/content over the Internet
join/participate in/visit/provide a (web-based/web/online/Internet/discussion) forum

generate/increase/monitor Internet traffic

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

online / ˈɒn.laɪn /   / ˈɑːn.laɪn / adjective [ before noun ]

A2 describes products, services, or information that can be bought or used on the internet:

an online newspaper/magazine/dictionary

online banking/shopping

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

online

 

/ɒnlaɪn/
also on-line

1.
If a company goes online, its services become available on the Internet. (BUSINESS, COMPUTING)
...the first bank to go online.
...an online shopping centre.
...an online catalogue.
ADJ

2.
If you are online, your computer is connected to the Internet. Compare offline. (COMPUTING)
You can chat to other people who are online.
ADJ

Online is also an adverb.
...the cool stuff you find online.
on line: see line
ADV: ADV after v

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

online

on·line /ˈɑːnˌlaɪn/ adj
1 : connected to a computer, a computer network, or the Internet
• an online printer
• The city libraries are all online.
2 : done over the Internet
• He likes to engage in online chats/discussions.
online shopping/banking
• the company's online sales
- opposite off-line
- online adv
• people who shop/chat online
• I went online to do a search for information about new cars.
• She spends a lot of her free time online.

check

check [verb] (EXAMINE)

To make certain that something or someone is correct, safe, or suitable by examining it or them quickly

US /tʃek/ 
UK /tʃek/ 
Example: 

You should always check your oil, water, and tyres before taking your car on a long trip.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

 verb (checks, checking, checked )

1 to look at something to see that it is right, good or safe:
Do the sums and then use a calculator to check your answers.
Before driving off, I checked the oil and water.
Check that all the windows are closed before you leave.

2 American English for tick1?

check in to tell the person at the desk in a hotel or an airport that you have arrived:
I have to check in an hour before my flight.

check out to pay your bill and leave a hotel

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

check

I. check1 S1 W2 /tʃek/ BrE AmE verb
1. FIND OUT [intransitive and transitive] to do something in order to find out whether something really is correct, true, or in good condition:
Check the tiles carefully before you buy them.
A first rule in solving any mystery is to check the facts.
Fill in the cash book carefully and always check your calculations.
check (that)
Check that all the doors are locked securely.
check whether/how/who etc
Let me just check whether the potatoes are cooked.
They paused to check how the other climbers were getting on.
check (something) for something
I checked the typing for errors.
Turn the tap on and check for leaks.
check something against/with something (=compare something with something else to see whether they are the same)
You must check the evidence against other sources and decide if it is reliable.
Positive test results are double-checked (=looked at twice) to make absolutely sure.
2. ASK SOMEBODY [intransitive and transitive] to ask someone whether something is correct, true, or allowed:
I’m not authorized to give you a refund – I’ll have to check first.
check (that)
Make a phone call to check that you’re writing to the right person.
check whether/how/who etc
Call the factory to check whether the beds can be delivered today.
check with
Check with your doctor before going on a diet.
3. NOT DO SOMETHING [transitive] to suddenly stop yourself from saying or doing something because you realize it would be better not to:
I had to check the urge to laugh out loud.
check yourself
He grinned, and then checked himself, not wanting to upset Jack.
4. STOP SOMETHING [transitive] to stop something bad from getting worse or continuing to happen:
The police are failing to take adequate measures to check the growth in crime.
5. BAGS/CASES ETC [transitive] American English, check in British English to leave your bags at an official place so they can be put on a plane or a train, or to take someone’s bags in order to do this:
Any luggage over five kilos must be checked.
6. MAKE A MARK [transitive] American English to make a mark (✓ ) next to an answer, something on a list etc to show you have chosen it, that it is correct, or that you have dealt with it SYN tick British English
7. Check especially American English spoken say this when someone mentions each thing on a list, to tell them that you have it or have done it:
‘Passport?’ ‘Check.’ ‘Ticket?’ ‘Check’.
• • •
THESAURUS
check to look at something carefully and thoroughly in order to make sure that it is correct, safe, or working properly: I’ll just check the water level in the battery. | The immigration officer checked their passports. | We need to check the building for structural damage.
examine to look at something carefully and thoroughly because you want to find out something about it: Experts who examined the painting believe it is genuine. | The police will examine the weapon for fingerprints.
inspect to look at something carefully and thoroughly in order to make sure that it is correct, safe, or working properly, especially when it is your job to do this: The building is regularly inspected by a fire-safety officer. | Some insurance people have already been here to inspect the damage caused by the storm.
go through something to examine something such as a document or plan from beginning to end, especially in order to check that it is correct: You should go through the contract before you sign. | I’ve finished my essay, but I just need to go through it to check for spelling mistakes.
double-check to check something again so that you are completely sure it is correct, safe, or working properly: I double-checked all my calculations and they seemed fine. | Travellers should double-check flight information before setting off today.
test to examine or use something in order to find out whether it works or what its qualities are, or in order to check that it is satisfactory: Test your brakes to check they are working correctly. | These products have not been tested on animals.
monitor to carefully watch or keep checking someone or something in order to see what happens over a period of time: Doctors monitored her progress during the night. | Observers have been monitoring the situation in Burma closely.
check in phrasal verb
1. if you check in or are checked in at a hotel or airport, you go to the desk and report that you have arrived:
Check in two hours before the flight.
check in at
He checked in at the Europa Hotel.
check somebody ↔ in
Airline employees were checking in passengers. ⇨ ↑check-in
2. check something ↔ in to leave your bags at an official place so they can be put on a plane or a train, or to take someone’s bags in order to do this:
I said goodbye and went to check in my suitcases.
3. American English to call someone to tell them that you are safe or where you are:
He just called to check in and tell them how he was doing.
check something ↔ off phrasal verb
to write a mark next to something on a list to show that you have chosen it, dealt with it, or made sure that it is correct:
One by one he checked them off on his register.
check on somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to make sure that someone or something is safe, is in a satisfactory state, or is doing what they should be doing:
Honey, can you go upstairs and check on the kids?
My neighbour comes in once a week to check on things and feed the fish.
2. to try to find out if something is true or correct:
He wanted to check on the girl’s story.
check out phrasal verb
1. MAKE SURE
a) check something ↔ out to make sure that something is actually true, correct, or acceptable SYN investigate:
I made a phone call to check out his address.
check something ↔ out with
Check it out with your boss before you do anything.
b) if information checks out, it is proved to be true, correct, or acceptable:
His credit record checks out.
2. LOOK AT SOMEBODY/SOMETHING check somebody/something ↔ out to look at someone or something because they are interesting or attractive:
If I hear about a website that sounds interesting, I check it out.
Hey, check out that car!
3. GET INFORMATION check somebody ↔ out informal to get information about someone, especially to find out if they are suitable for something:
I’ll check them out as potential employers.
4. HOTEL to leave a hotel after paying the bill:
We checked out at noon. ⇨ ↑checkout
5. BOOKS check something ↔ out American English to borrow a book from a library:
The library allows you to check out six books at a time.
check something/somebody ↔ over phrasal verb
1. to look closely at something to make sure it is correct or acceptable:
They spent the rest of the morning checking over their equipment.
2. to examine someone to make sure they are healthy:
I’d like the doctor to check you over and do a few tests.
check up on somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to try to find out if someone is doing what they said they would do or what you want them to do:
Don’t worry; no one is going to check up on you.
2. to make sure that something is true or correct:
Dustin called me to check up on some facts.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

check

check [check checks checked checking] verb, noun, exclamation   [tʃek]    [tʃek]

verb  

EXAMINE
1. transitive ~ sth (for sth) to examine sth to see if it is correct, safe or acceptable
Check the container for cracks or leaks.
She gave me the minutes of the meeting to read and check.
Check the oil and water before setting off.
• Check your work before handing it in.

• Customs officers have the right to check all luggage going through customs.  

MAKE SURE

2. intransitive, transitive to find out if sth/sb is present, correct or true or if sth is how you think it is
‘Is Mary in the office?’ ‘Just a moment. I'll go and check.’
~ sth Hang on— I just need to check my email.
~ (that)… Go and check (that) I've locked the windows.
~ (with sb) (what/whether, etc…) You'd better check with Jane what time she's expecting us tonight.

see also  cross-check, double-check  

CONTROL

3. transitive ~ sth to control sth; to stop sth from increasing or getting worse
• The government is determined to check the growth of public spending.

• She tied some strips of cloth around the wound to check the bleeding.

4. transitive to stop yourself from saying or doing sth or from showing a particular emotion
~ sth to check your anger/laughter/tears

~ yourself She wanted to tell him the whole truth but she checked herself— it wasn't the right moment.  

COATS/BAGS/CASES

5. transitive ~ sth (NAmE) to leave coats, bags, etc. in an official place (called a checkroom) while you are visiting a club, restaurant, etc

• Do you want to check your coats?

6. transitive ~ sth (NAmE) to leave bags or cases with an official so that they can be put on a plane or train

• How many bags are you checking?  

MAKE MARK

7. transitive ~ sth (NAmE) (BrE tick) to put a mark (✓) next to an item on a list, an answer, etc
Check the box next to the right answer.
 
Word Origin:
v. and exclam. n. senses 1 to 4 and n. senses 6 to 10 Middle English Old French eschec medieval Latin scaccus Arabic Persian šāh ‘king’ Old French eschequier ‘play chess, put in check’ ‘stop or control’ ‘examine the accuracy of’
n. sense 5 late Middle English
 
Thesaurus:
check verb
1. T
Check your work before handing it in.
inspectexaminego over sthcheck over sb/sthcheck through sthlook at sth|business audit
check/inspect/examine/check over/check through sth for sth
check/inspect/examine/look at sth to see if/whether…
check/inspect/examine/go over/check over/check through/look at sth carefully
Check, inspect or examine? These words can all be used when you are looking for possible problems. Only check is used about looking for mistakes:  ¤ Inspect/Examine your work before handing it in. Only examine is used when looking for the cause of a problem:
The doctor examined her but could find nothing wrong.
 ¤ The doctor checked/inspected her but could find nothing wrong.
2. I, T
Go and check that I've locked the windows.
make sure|formal verifyassure yourself
check/verify sth with sb
check/make sure/verify/assure yourself that…
check/verify what/whether…  
Synonyms:
check
examine inspect go over sth
These words all mean to look closely to make sure that everything is correct, in good condition, or acceptable.
checkto look at sth closely to make sure that everything is correct, in good condition, safe or satisfactory: Check your work before handing it in.
examineto look at sb/sth closely to see if there is anything wrong or to find the cause of a problem: The goods were examined for damage on arrival.
inspectto look at sb/sth closely to make sure that everything is satisfactory; to officially visit a school, factory, etc. in order to check that rules are being obeyed and that standards are acceptable: Make sure you inspect the goods before signing for them. The Tourist Board inspects all recommended hotels at least once a year.
check, examine or inspect?
All these words can be used when you are looking for possible problems, but only check is used for mistakes: Examine/Inspect your work before handing it in. Only examine is used when looking for the cause of a problem: The doctor checked/inspected her but could find nothing wrong. Examine is used more often about a professional person: The surveyor examined the walls for signs of damp. Inspect is used more often about an official: Public health officials were called in to inspect the restaurant.
go over sthto check sth carefully for mistakes, damage or anything dangerous: Go over your work for spelling mistakes before you hand it in.
to check/examine/inspect/go over (sth) for sth
to check/examine/inspect/go over sth to see if/whether…
to check/examine/inspect/go over sth carefully/thoroughly  
Example Bank:
Always check that the electricity is switched off before you start.
Check the engine oil level regularly.
Check the roof for loose slates.
He was just checking to see if I was in my room.
I checked with her to see if she needed any help.
I'll need to check these figures against last year's.
It's worth checking that there is no rust on the car.
She began mentally checking off the things on her to-do list.
The cartons were all checked off as they were unloaded.
To take advantage of this extra bonus offer, simply check the box on your order form.
We had better check that all the doors are locked.
‘Is Mary in the office?’ ‘Just a moment. I'll go and check.’
Check the oil and water in the car before setting off.
Go and check that I've locked the windows.
She made no effort to check her tears and just let them run down her face.
She wanted to tell him the whole truth but she checked herself.
The active ingredient checks the growth of bacteria.
You'd better check with Jane what time she's expecting us.
Idiom: hold something in check

Derived: check in  check into …  check on somebody  check out  check over something  check somebody off  check somebody out  check something in  check something out  check up on somebody  check up on something 

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

check / tʃek / verb [ I or T ] (EXAMINE)

A2 to make certain that something or someone is correct, safe, or suitable by examining it or them quickly:

You should always check your oil, water, and tyres before taking your car on a long trip.

Customs stopped us and checked (= searched) our bags for alcohol and cigarettes.

After I'd finished the exam, I checked my answers for mistakes.

The doctor will call next week to check on your progress.

My wife checks on (= visits) our elderly neighbour every few days to make sure that he's alright.

[ + (that) ] I always check (that) I've shut the windows before I leave the house.

He double- checked all the doors (= checked them all twice) before leaving the house.

→  See also crosscheck

B1 to find out about something:

[ + question word ] I rang them yesterday to check wh en they were arriving.

[ + to infinitive ] If you're near the garage, could you check to see (= ask) if the car's ready?

If you're unsure of your legal rights, I would check with (= ask) a lawyer.
 

check / tʃek / verb [ T ] (STOP)

to stop someone from doing or saying something, or to prevent something from increasing or continuing:

They have begun to vaccinate children in an attempt to check the spread of the disease.
 

check / tʃek / verb [ T ] US (LEAVE)

to leave something with someone at a particular place, so that they can take care of it for a short time:

It was hot so we checked our coats before going round the gallery.
 

check / tʃek / verb [ I ] mainly US (AGREE)

If information checks, it agrees with other information:

Her statement checks with most of the eye-witness reports.
 

check / tʃek / verb [ I or T ] (MARK)

A1 US for tick noun (MARK)
 

check / tʃek / verb [ T ] specialized (CHESS)

in the game of chess, to put the other player's king under direct attack, so that the other player is forced to defend against the attack in their next move

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

check

/tʃek/
(checks, checking, checked)

Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.

1.
If you check something such as a piece of information or a document, you make sure that it is correct or satisfactory.
Check the accuracy of everything in your CV...
I think there is an age limit, but I’d have to check...
She hadn’t checked whether she had a clean ironed shirt...
He checked that he had his room key...
I shall need to check with the duty officer.
VERB: V n, V, V wh, V that, V with n
see also cross-check

Check is also a noun.
He is being constantly monitored with regular checks on his blood pressure.
...a security check.
N-COUNT: usu with supp

2.
If you check on someone or something, you make sure they are in a safe or satisfactory condition.
He decided to check on things at the warehouse.
VERB: V on n

3.
If you check something that is written on a piece of paper, you put a mark, like a V with the right side extended, next to it to show that something is correct or has been selected or dealt with. (AM; in BRIT, usually use tick)
Frequently, men who check answer (b) have not actually had the experience of being repeatedly rejected by women.
VERB: V n

4.
To check something, usually something bad, means to stop it from spreading or continuing.
Sex education is also expected to help check the spread of AIDS.
= curb
VERB: V n

5.
If you check yourself or if something checks you, you suddenly stop what you are doing or saying.
He was about to lose his temper but checked himself in time...
I held up one finger to check him.
VERB: V pron-refl, V n

6.
When you check your luggage at an airport, you give it to an official so that it can be taken on to your plane.
We arrived at the airport, checked our baggage and wandered around the gift shops...
VERB: V n

To check in your luggage means the same as to check it.
They checked in their luggage and found seats in the departure lounge.
PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P

7.
The check in a restaurant is a piece of paper on which the price of your meal is written and which you are given before you pay. (mainly AM; in BRIT, use bill)
= bill
N-COUNT

8.
In a game of chess, you say check when you are attacking your opponent’s king.
CONVENTION

9.
A pattern of squares, usually of two colours, can be referred to as checks or a check.
Styles include stripes and checks.
...a red and white check dress.
N-COUNT: oft N n

10.
If something or someone is held in check or is kept in check, they are controlled and prevented from becoming too great or powerful.
Life on Earth will become unsustainable unless population growth is held in check...
PHRASE: V inflects

11.
A check is the same as a cheque. (AM)

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

1check /ˈʧɛk/ verb checks; checked; check·ing
1 : to look at (something) carefully to find mistakes, problems, etc., or to make sure there is nothing wrong with it

[+ obj]

• Make sure to check your spelling.
• She checked her makeup in the mirror.
• We should check the equipment to make sure that it's working properly.
• I checked the tires for wear. [=to see if they are worn down/out]
• The guards checked my passport.

[no obj]

- + for
• Be careful to check for any mistakes.
• The border guards checked in my luggage for contraband.
- see also cross-check, double-check, spot-check
2 a : to get information by looking at something, asking about something, etc.

[+ obj]

• He checked his watch and saw that it was almost noon.
• I'll just check the map to see where we are.
• I'll check the newspaper to see when the movie starts.

[no obj]

• We were out of milk last time I checked. [=looked]
• “Do you have these shoes in a larger size?” “I don't know. Let me check.” [=take a look]
• I think the door is locked, but I'll have to check (to be sure).
- often followed by to + verb
• Did you check to see where the movie was playing?
• I checked to make sure the door was locked.
b : to look at or in (a place) in order to find or get something or someone

[+ obj]

• If you're looking for a spoon, check the top drawer.
• I checked his office but he wasn't there.

[no obj]

• If you're looking for the umbrella, check in the closet.
c [+ obj] : to find out if you have any (mail, messages, etc.)
• Did you check the mail yet today?
• She checked [=listened to] her phone messages when she got home.
• He logged on and checked [=read] his e-mail.
3 : to talk with someone in order to get approval, information, etc., about something

[no obj]

• I'll have to check with the manager before I can let you in.
Check with your doctor to find out which drugs are safe.

[+ obj]

• I'm not sure when you should arrive. I'll have to check that with my wife.
4 [+ obj]
a : to slow or stop (something or someone) from doing something
• She started to speak but then checked [=stopped] herself.
• The batter checked his swing. [=the batter started to swing and then stopped]
b hockey : to stop or hit (an opponent) in order to steal the ball or puck, defend the goal, etc.
• He was checked by the defender.
5 [+ obj] US
a : to leave (something you own) with a worker at a restaurant, hotel, etc., who keeps it in a special area or room (called a checkroom) while you are there
• I checked my hat and coat in the restaurant's checkroom.
b : to give (your bags, suitcases, etc.) to a worker so that they can be loaded onto a plane or train
• We checked our bags before boarding.
c : to take (someone's bags, suitcases, etc.) to load them onto a plane or train
• The airline checked our bags before we boarded.
- see also check in 3 (below)
6 [+ obj] US : to mark (something) with a check (✓) to show that it has been done, approved, etc.
• You should check [=(chiefly Brit) tick] each item on the list after you've completed it.
- often + off
• You should check off [=(chiefly Brit) tick off] each item on the list after you've completed it.
7 [no obj] US informal : to be proven to be true, accurate, etc. - usually used in negative statements
• Her story didn't check. [=the evidence did not support her story]
- see also check out 2 (below)
check back [phrasal verb] informal : to return to a place, person, etc., in order to try something again or to get additional information
• We are not hiring today, but check back next month.
• I'll check back with you [=talk to you again] in about a week.
check in [phrasal verb]
1 : to report to someone when you arrive at a place (such as an airport or convention) to let them know you are there
• Passengers must check in one hour before the flight leaves.
• Where do I have to check in? especially; : to arrive at and be given a room in a hotel, motel, etc.
check in [=register] at a hotel
• Guests cannot check in before 4:00 PM.
- see also check-in
2 US informal : to talk with someone in order to report or find out new information
• I'm just checking in to see how things are going.
- usually + with
• I have to go to a meeting now, but I'll check in with you later.
3 check (something) in or check in (something) : to leave or take bags, suitcases, etc., so that they can be loaded onto a plane or train
• We checked our bags in at the station.
• The airline checked in our luggage.
check into [phrasal verb] check into (something)
1 : to arrive at and be given a room in (a hotel, motel, etc.)
• We checked into a hotel.
2 : to look for information about (something) : to find out the truth about (something) by getting information
• The police are checking into [=checking on, checking up on] his activities. [=the police are investigating his activities]
• A problem like that should really be checked into carefully.
check off on [phrasal verb] check off on (something) US informal : to give official approval for (something)
• My boss will have to check off on [=authorize, approve] my decision.
check on [phrasal verb] check on (someone or something)
1 : to look at or examine (someone or something) to see if there are any problems
• The nurse checked on the patients regularly.
2 : to look for information about (someone or something) : to find out the truth about (someone or something) by getting information
• The police are checking on [=checking up on] him.
• I asked the waiter to check on [=find out what was happening with] my order.
check out [phrasal verb]
1 a : to leave and pay for your room at a hotel, motel, etc.
• We checked out (of the hotel) early.
- see also checkout
b US informal : to die
• There are still a lot of things I want to accomplish in life before I finally check out.
2 US informal
a : to be proven to be accurate, true, etc.
• I didn't believe her at first, but her story checked out.
• The description checked out when we compared it with the photograph. [=we saw that the description was accurate when we compared it with the photograph]
b check out (something) or check (something) out : to find out if (something) is true
• The police are still trying to check out [=investigate, confirm] his alibi.
3 check out (something or someone) or check (something or someone) out
a : to look at (something or someone) in order to find problems, mistakes, etc.
• We carefully checked out the car for defects.
• He had problems with his computer and asked the technician to check it out.
• He needs to get checked out by a doctor.
b informal : to look at (someone or something that is attractive or interesting)
• When she walked into the room, all the guys were checking her out.
• Just check out his new car!
• We're going to the mall to check out that new clothing store.
- often used in the phrase check it out to direct someone's attention to something
Check it out—they've got that new book in stock.
4 check out (something) or check (something) out
a : to borrow (something) from a library
• He checked out [=took out, borrowed] a book on farming.
b US : to add up the cost of the goods that someone buys in a store (such as a supermarket) and accept payment for them
• She got a job checking out groceries at the supermarket. also; : to pay for the goods that you buy in a store
• There was a long line of people waiting to check out their groceries.
• She was able to check out quickly using her debit card.
- see also checkout
check over [phrasal verb] check (something or someone) over or check over (something or someone) : to look at (something or someone) in a careful way to find problems, mistakes, etc.
checking the new cars over
• The doctors checked him over for bruises.
• Be sure to check over each item on the list for any mistakes.
• She checked herself over [=she looked at herself carefully] in the mirror before going to the party.
check through [phrasal verb] check through (something) : to look at the parts of (a group of things)
• I checked through all his letters but found nothing useful.
check up on [phrasal verb] check up on (someone or something) : to find or look for information about (someone or something) often in order to find out the truth
• My parents are always checking up on me.
• The police are checking up on his alibi.
- check·able adj
• an easily checkable fact

post

post [noun] (LETTERS)

mainly  UK   ( US  usually   mail )   letters and parcels that are delivered to homes or places of work

US /poʊst/ 
UK /pəʊst/ 
Example: 

The ​package had been ​badly ​crushed in the post.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

noun

1 (British) (American mail) (no plural) the official system for sending and receiving letters, packages, etc.:
I sent your present by post.

2 (British) (American mail) (no plural) all the letters and packages that you send or receive:
Did you get any post this morning?

3 (plural posts) a job, especially an important one in a large organization:
a government post

4 (plural posts) a piece of wood or metal that stands in the ground to hold something or to show where something is:
The sign had fallen off the post.
a lamp post
Look at goalpost and signpost.

 

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

post

I. post1 S2 W2 /pəʊst $ poʊst/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑post, ↑postage, ↑postie, ↑posting; verb: ↑post; adjective: ↑postal]
1. JOB [countable] formal a job, especially an important one in a large organization SYN position:
I applied for the post and was asked to attend an interview.
She was offered the post of ambassador to India.
He will take up his post as Head of Modern Languages in September.
Goddard has held the post since 1998.
Unfortunately they were unable to find a suitable person to fill the post.
Mr Thomson resigned his £50,000 a year post in April.
She now holds a senior post in the Department of Education.
the creation of 4,000 new teaching posts
2. POSTAL SYSTEM the post British English the official system for carrying letters, packages etc from one place to another SYN mail
by post
The winners will be notified by post.
in the post
Your letter must have got lost in the post.
I’ll put a copy of the book in the post (=send it).
through the post
A parcel arrived through the post.
3. LETTERS [uncountable] British English letters, packages etc that are sent and delivered SYN mail:
Was there any post for me today?
Emma was opening her post.
4. COLLECTION/DELIVERY [singular, uncountable] British English when letters are collected or delivered SYN mail:
What time does the post go (=get collected)?
(the) first/second/last post (=the first, second etc collection or delivery of letters each day)
Applications must arrive by first post on September 23.
catch/miss the post (=post your letter in time for it to be collected, or not in time)by return (of post) at ↑return2(11)
5. PIECE OF WOOD/METAL [countable] a strong upright piece of wood, metal etc that is fixed into the ground, especially to support something:
a fence post ⇨ ↑bedpost, ↑gatepost(1), ↑lamp-post, ↑signpost1(1)
6. FOOTBALL/HOCKEY ETC [countable] one of the two upright pieces of wood between which players try to kick or hit the ball in football, ↑hockey etc SYN goalpost:
The ball hit the post and bounced off.
7. NEWSPAPER [singular] used in the names of some newspapers:
the ‘Washington Post’
8. SOLDIER/GUARD ETC sb’s post the place where a soldier, guard etc is expected to be in order to do their job
at sb’s post
By 5 am the soldiers were already at their posts.
No one was allowed to leave their post.
9. border/military/customs/police post a place, especially one on a border, where soldiers or police are guarding, checking etc something
10. RACE the post (also the finishing post) the place where a race finishes, especially a horse race:
Mr Magic was first past the post.
11. INTERNET MESSAGE [countable] (also posting) a message sent to an Internet discussion group so that all members of the group can read it:
There was post after post criticizing the Minister.
as deaf as a post at ↑deaf(1), ⇨ be driven/passed from pillar to post at ↑pillar(4), ⇨ pip somebody at the post at ↑pip2(1), ⇨ ↑first-past-the-post

COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 1)
■ verbs
hold a post (=have a job) He had previously held the post of Foreign Minister.
apply for a post I am writing to apply for the post of secretary.
take up a post (=start a new job) She will take up her new post next month.
leave a post The previous ambassador left his post in June.
resign (from) a post (=leave it) John Sargent has resigned his post as chairman.
be dismissed from a post (=be told to leave) As a result of the scandal, he was dismissed from his post.
offer somebody a post He was offered the post of Secretary of State for Wales.
appoint somebody to a post (=give someone a job officially) Mr Collingwood has been appointed to the post of Headteacher.
fill a post (=find someone to do a job) They have advertised the post but it hasn't yet been filled.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + post
a senior post Senior posts in industry attract very high salaries.
a junior post He was offered a junior post in a bank.
a permanent/temporary post I have a two-year contract, not a permanent post.
a full-time/part-time post a part-time post as a university lecturer
a teaching post My first teaching post was in outer London.
an administrative post For the next twelve years, he held various administrative posts in Bombay.
a government post I decided to apply for a local government post.

COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ verbs
send something by post They sent me the contract by post.
put something in the post (=put it in a box to be collected) I put it in the post on Friday, so it should have arrived today.
get something in the post (=receive it) Did you get anything in the post today?
something comes/arrives in the post This letter came in the post this morning.
something gets lost in the post I'm afraid the cheque must have got lost in the post.
■ adjectives
first-class post The package arrived by first-class post.
second-class post Items sent by second-class post can take up to five days to arrive.

COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 4)
■ adjectives
first/second/last post (=the first, second, or last collection or delivery of letters each day) The last post is at 5.30.
■ verbs
catch the post (=post your letter in time for it to be collected) He wrote the letter hurriedly because he was anxious to catch the post.
miss the post (=not post your letter in time for it to be collected) If I miss the post today, the card won’t arrive on her birthday.
the post goes (=it is collected) The first post goes at 7.30 am.
• • •
THESAURUS
job noun [countable] the regular paid work that you do for an employer: a full-time job | John got a job in a car factory.
work noun [uncountable] activities that you are paid for doing – used either when you work for an employer or when you work in your own business: I started work when I was 18. | He graduated from college last year and is still looking for work.
profession noun [countable] a job for which you need special education and training: There are now a lot more women in the legal profession. | Many teachers are leaving the profession.
occupation noun [countable] formal a job, or a type of job – often used on official documents: Please give your name, age, and occupation. | a traditionally male occupation
career noun [countable] the work you do or plan to do for most of your life: I’m interested in a career in journalism.
position noun [countable] formal a particular job within an organization: I am writing to apply for the position of technical assistant. | We regret that the position has already been filled. | Please state the position which you are applying for.
post noun [countable] formal a job, especially an important one in a large organization: She has held the post of managing director for two years. | He applied for the post of Senior Manager.
vacancy/opening noun [countable] a job that is available for someone to do: The hospital has been unable to fill the vacancy. | There are very few openings in scientific research.
appointment noun [countable] an important job which someone is asked to do: He took an appointment as US trade ambassador in Geneva.
posting noun [countable] a situation in which someone is sent somewhere to do a job for a period of time by the organization they work for: This was his first posting outside the UK. | an overseas posting | His next posting took him to the Ministry of Defence.
trade noun [countable] a job that involves using your hands, and for which you need special training: Most of the men had worked in skilled trades such as carpentry and printing.
employment noun [uncountable] the fact of having a job: The factory will provide employment for local people. | She was offered employment in the sales office.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

post

post [post posts posted posting] noun, verb   [pəʊst]    [poʊst]

noun  

LETTERS
1. (BrE) (also mail NAmE, BrE) uncountable the official system used for sending and delivering letters, packages, etc
I'll send the original to you by post.
I'll put the information in the post to you tomorrow.

• My application got lost in the post.

2. (BrE) (also mail NAmE, BrE) uncountable letters, packages, etc. that are sent and delivered
• There was a lot of post this morning.

• Have you opened your post yet?

3. (BrE) uncountable, singular an occasion during the day when letters, etc. are collected or delivered
to catch/miss the post
The parcel came in this morning's post.
Payment should be sent by return of post (= immediately).

• Do you get a second post here?  

JOB

4. countable a job, especially an important one in a large organization
Syn:  position
an academic/government post
to take up a post
to resign (from) a post
We will be creating 15 new posts next year.
The company has been unable to fill the post.
He has held the post for three years.

• She was offered a key post in the new government.

5. (especially NAmE) (BrE usually posting) an act of sending sb to a particular place to do their job, especially for a limited period of time
• an overseas post

• The island is rated by diplomats as a hardship post (= one that people do not like to be sent to because it is not a very comfortable place to live).  

FOR SOLDIER/GUARD

6. countable the place where sb, especially a soldier, does their job
a police/customs/military post
an observation post
The guards were ordered not to leave their posts.
• Three soldiers were shot dead at a border post.

see also  last post, staging post, trading post  

WOOD/METAL

7. countable (often in compounds) a piece of wood or metal that is set in the ground in a vertical position, especially to support sth or to mark a point
corner posts (= that mark the corners of a sports field)
• The team's ‘net’ was a piece of string tied to two posts.

see also  bedpost, gatepost, lamp post, signpost  

END OF RACE

8. the post singular the place where a race finishes, especially in horse racing

see also  first-past-the-post, winning post  

 

FOOTBALL
9. countable, usually singular =  goalpost

• The ball hit the post and bounced in.  

INTERNET

10. (also post·ing) countable (computing) a message sent to a discussion group on the Internet; a piece of writing that forms part of a blog
The forum does not allow posts from non-members.
a blog post
I love reading her posts because I learn so much.
She wrote a great post about the experience on her blog.
see deaf as a post at  deaf, be driven, pushed, etc. from pillar to post at  pillar  
Word Origin:
n. senses 6 to 8 and v. senses 6 to 7 Old English Latin postis ‘doorpost’ ‘rod, beam’ Middle English Old French post ‘pillar, beam’ Middle Dutch Middle Low German post ‘doorpost’
n. senses 1 to 3 and v. senses 1 to 3
early 16th cent. French poste Italian posta Latin posita ponere ‘to place’
n. senses 4 to 5 and v. senses 4 to 5 mid 16th cent. French poste Italian posto popular Latin positum ponere ‘to place’
 
Culture:
postal services
Most letters and packages posted in Britain are dealt with by the Royal Mail, which is part of the Royal Mail Group Ltd, together with Parcelforce, which delivers larger packages, and the Post Office, which manages the country’s many post offices. As well as selling stamps, post offices take in letters and packages that are to be sent by special delivery. Post offices also sell vehicle licences and often greetings cards and stationery. In villages they are often combined with a newsagent’s and general store. In recent years, many smaller post offices have been closed because they do not make a profit, though this often led to protests from local people.
Mail (= letters, bills, etc.) is often called post in British English. When sending a letter, people can choose between two levels of service, first class or the cheaper second class. Normally, first-class mail is delivered the day after it is posted and second-class mail within two or three days. Every address in Britain includes a postcode of letters and numbers, for example OX1 2PX for an address in Oxford, that makes it possible to sort the post by machine. Letters are posted in red postboxes, also called letter boxes. Each has a sign giving times of collections. Postmen and women deliver mail each morning direct to homes and businesses. They put the mail through a flap in the door, which is also called a letter box. In the country they travel round in red vans, but in towns and villages they often ride bicycles.
The system that deals with mail in the US, the US Postal Service (USPS), is an independent part of the government. Its head is the Postmaster General. Mail carriers, sometimes called mailmen though many are women, deliver mail to homes and businesses once a day. Most homes have mailboxes fixed outside, near the door. It is very uncommon for a house to have a letter box in the door for letters. People whose houses are a long way from the road have a special rural mailbox by the road. This has a flag which the mail carrier raises so that the people in the house can see when they have mail. To mail (= send) a letter, people leave it on top of their own mailbox or put it in one of the many blue mailboxes in cities and towns. Every address in the US includes an abbreviation for the name of the state and a ZIP code, which is used to help sort the mail. Post offices sell stamps and deal with mail that has to be insured. Most cities have one post office which stays open late. Americans complain about the Postal Service, but it usually does an efficient job at a reasonable price.
In the US only Postal Service can deliver mail to letter boxes and the Service has a monopoly on first-class mail that is not urgent.In Britain the post office lost its monopoly on delivery of post in 2006. In both countries there are many companies who provide courier and messenger services for urgent mail. The largest of these include FedEx and DHL. In Britain private companies may also deliver mail to letter boxes. 
Thesaurus:
post noun
1. U (BrE)
Have you opened your post yet?
mailletter|formal correspondence
post/mail/a letter/correspondence from/to sb
open the post/the mail/a letter
the post/the mail/a letter arrives
2. C
The was a high roof supported by wooden posts.
pillarcolumnsupportgirder
tall posts/pillars/columns
a/an iron/steel post/pillar/column/support/girder
a wooden post/pillar/column/support
a post/pillar/column/girder supports sth 
British/American:
post / mail
Nouns
In BrE the official system used for sending and delivering letters, parcels/packages, etc. is usually called the post. In NAmE it is usually called the mail: I’ll put an application form in the post/mail for you today. Send your fee by post/mail to this address. Mail is sometimes used in BrE in such expressions as the Royal Mail. Post occurs in NAmE in such expressions as the US Postal Service.
In BrE post is also used to mean the letters, parcels/packages, etc. that are delivered to you. Mail is the usual word in NAmE and is sometimes also used in BrE: Was there any post/mail this morning? I sat down to open my post/mail. Verbs
Compare: I’ll post the letter when I go out. (BrE) and I’ll mail the letter when I go out. (NAmE)Compounds
Note these words: postman (BrE), mailman/mail carrier (both NAmE); postbox (BrE), mailbox (NAmE) Some compounds are used in both BrE and NAmE: post office, postcard, mail order. 
Synonyms:
job
position post vacancy appointment
These are all words for a position doing work for which you receive regular payment.
joba position doing work for which you receive regular payment: He's trying to get a job in a bank.
position(rather formal) a job: a senior position in a large corporation
job or position?
Position usually refers to a particular job within an organization, especially at a high level, and is not usually used about about jobs generally. It is also often used in job applications, descriptions and advertisements.
posta job, especially an important one in a large organization: a key post in the new government
vacancya job that is available for sb to do: We have several vacancies for casual workers.
appointment(rather formal, especially BrE) a job or position of responsibility: This is a permanent appointment, requiring commitment and hard work.
a permanent/temporary job/position/post/vacancy/appointment
a full-time/part-time job/position/post/vacancy/appointment
to have/have got a(n) job/position/post/vacancy/appointment
to apply for/fill a job/position/post/vacancy
to resign from/leave/quit a job/position/post 
Example Bank:
He steered a shot between the goalkeeper and the near post.
He took up a teaching post at Basle University.
He was dismissed from his post when he was found to have accepted bribes.
I sent it by first-class post.
I want to apologize for not making a post on Friday.
If you hurry you'll just catch the last post.
More info can be found in my first post on the subject.
My application for the job is in the post.
Orders will be sent by return of post.
Seth made a blog post titled ‘Rules of Engagement’.
She applied for the new post of training officer.
She arrived at the office early and checked her post.
She led for most of the way before being pipped at the post.
The first horse past the post wins the race.
The guard took up his post at the gate.
The gun crew were at their posts.
The sentries had deserted their posts.
To respond to your comments, please see my previous post.
He has held the post for five years.
He was first past the winning post.
Ideally I'm looking for an academic post.
She tied the dog to a post.
She's due to take up the post next month.
The book arrived in the morning post.
The car skidded and hit a lamp post.
The team's ‘net’ was a piece of string tied to two posts.
Three company directors have resigned (from) their posts.
We have been unable to fill the post.
a Cabinet post
• corner posts

Idiom: keep somebody posted 

 

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

post / pəʊst /   / poʊst / noun (LETTERS)

A2 [ U ] mainly UK ( US usually mail ) letters and parcels that are delivered to homes or places of work:

I'd been away for a few days so I had a lot of post waiting for me.

Unless it's marked 'private', my secretary usually opens my post.

Has the post come/arrived yet?

A2 [ U ] mainly UK ( US usually mail ) the public system that exists for the collecting and delivering of letters:

My letter must have got lost in the post.

If you don't want to take it there, you can just send it by post.

[ S ] UK the time during the day when letters, etc. are collected or delivered:

I missed the post this morning.

Did you manage to catch the post?
 

post / pəʊst /   / poʊst / noun (JOB)

B2 [ C ] a job in a company or organization:

Teaching posts are advertised in Tuesday's edition of the paper.

She's held the post for 13 years.

They have several vacant posts.
 

post / pəʊst /   / poʊst / noun (POLE)

[ C ] a vertical stick or pole fixed into the ground, usually to support something or show a position [ C ] used as a combining form:

a lamppost

a signpost

the post in the sport of horse racing, the place where the race finishes or, less often, the place from which the race starts in sports such as football, a goalpost (= either of two vertical posts showing the area in which the ball is kicked to score points)

See picture sports 2

 

post / pəʊst /   / poʊst / noun [ C ] (PLACE)

the particular place where someone works, especially where a soldier is told to be for military duty, usually as a guard:

The soldier was disciplined for deserting his post.

I was ordered to remain at my post until the last customer had left.

 

post / pəʊst /   / poʊst / noun (MESSAGE)

an electronic message that you send to a website in order to allow many people to see it

→  Compare posting (MESSAGE)

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

post

I [po͟ʊst]LETTERS, PARCELS, AND INFORMATION
 

 posts, posting, posted
 1) N-SING: the N, also by N The post is the public service or system by which letters and packages are collected and delivered. [mainly BRIT]
  You'll receive your book through the post...
  The winner will be notified by post...
  The cheque is in the post.
  Syn:
  mail(in AM, usually use mail)
 2) N-UNCOUNT You can use post to refer to letters and packages that are delivered to you. [mainly BRIT]
  He flipped through the post without opening any of it...
  There has been no post in three weeks.
  Syn:
  mail(in AM, usually use mail)
 3) N-UNCOUNT: supp N Post is used to refer to an occasion when letters or packages are delivered. For example, first post on a particular day is the first time that things are delivered. [mainly BRIT]
  Entries must arrive by first post next Wednesday...
  They just have to wait patiently for the next post.
  Syn:
  delivery
 4) VERB If you post a letter or package, you send it to someone by putting it in a post box or by taking it to a post office. [mainly BRIT]
  [V n] If I write a letter, would you post it for me?...
  [V n n] I'm posting you a cheque tonight...
  [V n to n] I posted a letter to Stanley saying I was an old Army friend.
  Syn:
  mail
 PHRASAL VERB
 Post off means the same as post. V n P He'd left me to pack up the mail and post it off... V P n (not pron) All you do is complete and post off a form. (in AM, usually use mail)
 5) VERB If you post notices, signs, or other pieces of information somewhere, you fix them to a wall or board so that everyone can see them.
  [V n] Officials began posting warning notices...
  [V n prep/adv] She has posted photographs on bulletin boards.
 PHRASAL VERB
 Post up means the same as post. V n P He has posted a sign up that says `No Fishing'... Also V n P prep/adv V P n (not pron) We post up a set of rules for the house.
 6) VERB If you post information on the Internet, you make the information available to other people on the Internet.
  [be V-ed] A consultation paper has been posted on the Internet inviting input from Net users.
 7) PHRASE: keep inflects, oft PHR on/with n If you keep someone posted, you keep giving them the latest information about a situation that they are interested in.
  Keep me posted on your progress.II [po͟ʊst]JOBS AND PLACES
 

 posts, posting, posted
 1) N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N of/as n A post in a company or organization is a job or official position in it, usually one that involves responsibility. [FORMAL]
  She had earlier resigned her post as President Menem's assistant...
  Sir Peter has held several senior military posts.
  Syn:
  position
 2) VERB: usu passive If you are posted somewhere, you are sent there by the organization that you work for and usually work there for several years.
  [be V-ed prep/adv] After training she was posted to Brixton...
  [be V-ed prep/adv] It is normal to spend two or three years working in this country before being posted overseas.
 3) N-COUNT: usu poss N You can use post to refer to the place where a soldier, guard, or other person has been told to remain and to do his or her job.
  Quick men, back to your post!
  Syn:
  station, position
 4) VERB If a soldier, guard, or other person is posted somewhere, they are told to stand there, in order to supervise an activity or guard a place.
  [be V-ed prep/adv] Police have now been posted outside all temples...
  [V n prep/adv] British Rail had to post a signalman at the entrance to the tunnel...
  [V-ed] We have guards posted near the windows. [Also be V-ed]
  Syn:
  position
 5) → See also posting, staging postIII [po͟ʊst]POLES
 posts
 (Please look at category 4 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.)
 1) N-COUNT A post is a strong upright pole made of wood or metal that is fixed into the ground.
  You have to get eight wooden posts, and drive them into the ground...
  The device is fixed to a post.
  Syn:
  pole
 2) N-COUNT A post is the same as a goalpost.
  Wimbledon were unlucky not to win after hitting the post twice.
  Syn:
  goalpost
 3) N-SING: the N On a horse-racing track, the post is a pole which marks the finishing point.
 4) → See also first-past-the-post
 to pip someone at the postsee pip

 

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

4post noun, pl posts
1 [count]
a : the place where a soldier or guard is told to be
• No matter what happens, do not abandon your post. [=do not leave your assigned area]
• a command post
b : the place where someone does a job
• The bartender returned to her post behind the counter.
c : a place where soldiers are sent to live for a period of time : camp
• My cousin's Army unit was recently sent to a post in Alaska.
• The large post houses over 25,000 people.
- see also staging post
2 [count] : a usually important job or position in a large organization
• Our old supervisor just retired, so they're looking for someone to fill his post.
• He resigned from his post as superintendent of public schools.
• She applied for a government/administrative post.
3 [count] : trading post
4 the post basketball
a : the area on a basketball court that is near the basket
• He was standing in the post all alone.
b : the position of a player who is in the post
• She usually plays the post.

- compare 1post, 3post

3post noun, pl posts
1 [noncount] chiefly Brit
a : postal service
• We don't have a telephone at the cottage, so contact us by post. [=mail]
• There are strict rules against sending dangerous materials through the post.
b : letters or packages sent by post : mail
• He got a summer job delivering the post.
• Has the post come yet?
• After lunch, she sat and read the post.
• I put the payment in the post [=I mailed the payment] this morning.
- see also parcel post
2 [count] : a message on an online message board
• The Internet newsgroup is very active, with over 50 posts per day.
- called also posting,
by return of post
- see 2return

- compare 1post, 4post

1post /ˈpoʊst/ noun, pl posts [count]
1 : a piece of wood or metal that is set in an upright position into or on the ground especially as a support or marker
• fence posts
- see picture at house
2 : a pole that marks the starting or finishing point of a horse race - usually singular
• a horse's post position [=the position of a horse in the line of horses at the start of a race]
• (Brit) The horses galloped toward the finishing post.
3 : goalpost
- usually singular
• The shot hit the post.
from pillar to post
- see pillar

- compare 3post, 4post

mail

mail verb]

to send a letter or parcel or to email something

US /meɪl/ 
UK /meɪl/ 
Example: 

I mailed her a birthday card.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

>> mail verb (mails, mailing, mailed ) (American) to send something in the mail:
I'll mail the money to you.

 

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

II. mail2 S3 BrE AmE verb [transitive] especially American English
1. to send a letter or package to someone SYN post British English
mail something to somebody
The weekly newsletter is mailed to women all over the country.
2. to send a document to someone using a computer SYN email
mail something to somebody
Can you mail it to me as an attachment?
mail something ↔ out phrasal verb
to send letters, packages etc to a lot of people at the same time SYN send out:
The department has just mailed out 300,000 notices.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

verb
1. (especially NAmE) to send sth to sb using the postal system
~ sth (to sb/sth) Don't forget to mail that letter to your mother.
~ sb sth Don't forget to mail your mother that letter.

~ sb/sth The company intends to mail 50 000 households in the area.

2. (BrE) to send a message to sb by email
~ sb Please mail us at the following email address.
~ sth (to sb/sth) The virus mails itself forward to everyone in your address book.
~ sb sth Can you mail me that document you mentioned?
Verb forms:

 
Word Origin:
Middle English (in the sense ‘travelling bag’): from Old French male ‘wallet’, of West Germanic origin. The sense “by post” dates from the mid 17th cent.  
Thesaurus:
mail verb T (especially AmE)
Don't forget to mail that letter.
sendforwardsend sth on|BrE post|formal, especially business dispatch
mail/send/forward/send sth on/post/dispatch sth to sb
mail/send/forward/send on/post/dispatch a letter
mail/send/post a/an invitation/package/parcel/postcard/reply  
British/American:
post / mail
Nouns
In BrE the official system used for sending and delivering letters, parcels/packages, etc. is usually called the post. In NAmE it is usually called the mail: I’ll put an application form in the post/mail for you today. Send your fee by post/mail to this address. Mail is sometimes used in BrE in such expressions as the Royal Mail. Post occurs in NAmE in such expressions as the US Postal Service.
In BrE post is also used to mean the letters, parcels/packages, etc. that are delivered to you. Mail is the usual word in NAmE and is sometimes also used in BrE: Was there any post/mail this morning? I sat down to open my post/mail. Verbs
Compare: I’ll post the letter when I go out. (BrE) and I’ll mail the letter when I go out. (NAmE)Compounds
Note these words: postman (BrE), mailman/mail carrier (both NAmE); postbox (BrE), mailbox (NAmE) Some compounds are used in both BrE and NAmE: post office, postcard, mail order. 
Example Bank:
Mailing out information can be very expensive.
• The brochures are mailed direct to members.

• Don't forget to mail that letter.

 

See also: post

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

mail / meɪl / verb [ T ] mainly US ( mainly UK post )

to send a letter or parcel or to email something:

She mailed it last week but it still hasn't arrived.

[ + two objects ] I promised to mail him the article/mail the article to him.

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

mail

[me͟ɪl]
 
 mails, mailing, mailed
 1) N-SING: the N, also by N The mail is the public service or system by which letters and parcels are collected and delivered.
  Your check is in the mail...
  People had to renew their motor vehicle registrations through the mail...
  The firm has offices in several large cities, but does most of its business by mail.
  Syn:
  post
 2) N-UNCOUNT: also the N You can refer to letters and parcels that are delivered to you as mail.
  There was no mail except the usual junk addressed to the occupier...
  Nora looked through the mail.
  Syn:
  post
 3) VERB If you mail a letter or parcel to someone, you send it to them by putting it in a post box or taking it to a post office. [mainly AM]
  [V n to n] Last year, he mailed the documents to French journalists...
  [V n n] He mailed me the contract...
  [V n with n] The Government has already mailed some 18 million households with details of the public offer. [Also V n](in BRIT, usually use post)
 4) VERB To mail a message to someone means to send it to them by means of electronic mail or a computer network.
  [be V-ed prep] ...if a report must be electronically mailed to an office by 9 am the next day. [Also V n]
 N-UNCOUNT
 Mail is also a noun. If you have any problems then send me some mail.
 5) → See also mailing, chain mail, e-mail, electronic mail, hate mail, junk mail, surface mail
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - mail out

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

2mail verb mails; mailed; mail·ing [+ obj] chiefly US : to send (something, such as a letter or package) by mail
• Have you mailed (out) the invitations yet? [=(chiefly Brit) have you posted the invitations yet?]
• She mailed me a copy of her manuscript. = She mailed a copy of her manuscript to me.

 

post

post [verb] (LETTERS)

UK (US mail) to send a letter or parcel by post

US /poʊst/ 
UK /pəʊst/ 
Example: 

My ​husband ​generally posts ​our ​letters on his way to ​work.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

post

 verb (posts, posting, posted)

1 (British) (American mail) to send a letter or package by post:
Could you post this letter for me?

2 to send somebody to a place to do a job:
Sara's company have posted her to Japan for two years.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

II. post2 S3 BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[Word Family: noun: ↑post, ↑postage, ↑postie, ↑posting; verb: ↑post; adjective: ↑postal]
1. LETTER British English to send a letter, package etc by post SYN mail:
She’s just gone to post a letter.
post something (off) to somebody
Did you remember to post the card to my parents?
post somebody something
I posted Barry the cheque last Friday.
2. post something through sb’s door/letterbox British English to push something through someone’s ↑letterbox:
I’ll post the key through your letterbox when I leave.
3. JOB [usually passive] if you are posted somewhere, your employer sends you to work there, usually for several years
post somebody to France/London etc
He joined the British Army and was posted to Germany.
post somebody abroad/overseas
4. PUBLIC NOTICE (also post up) to put up a public notice about something on a wall or notice board:
The exam results were posted on the bulletin board yesterday.
5. GUARD to make someone be in a particular place in order to guard a building, check who enters or leaves a place, watch something etc SYN station:
Guards were to be posted around nuclear power stations.
6. keep somebody posted spoken to regularly tell someone the most recent news about something
keep somebody posted on
I’ll keep you posted on his progress.
7. PROFIT/LOSS ETC especially American English to officially record and announce information about a company’s financial situation or a country’s economic situation:
Cisco Systems posted record profits and sales for the third fiscal quarter.
8. INTERNET MESSAGE to put a message or computer document on the Internet so that other people can see it:
Could you post those new flyers on David’s website?
9. be posted missing British English if a soldier is posted missing, it is announced officially that they have disappeared
10. post bail law especially American English to pay a specific amount of money in order to be allowed to leave prison before your ↑trial

 

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

verb  

LETTERS
1. (BrE) (NAmE mail) transitive to send a letter, etc. to sb by post/mail
~ sth (off) (to sb) Have you posted off your order yet?
Is it OK if I post the cheque to you next week?
~ sb sth Is it OK if I post you the cheque next week?

compare  mail

2. (BrE) (NAmE mail) transitive ~ sth to put a letter, etc. into a postbox

• Could you post this letter for me?  

STH THROUGH HOLE

3. transitive ~ sth + adv./prep. to put sth through a hole into a container

• Let yourself out and post the keys through the letter box.  

SB FOR JOB

4. transitive, usually passive ~ sb + adv./prep. to send sb to a place for a period of time as part of their job
• She's been posted to Washington for two years.

• Most of our employees get posted abroad at some stage.  

SOLDIER/GUARD

5. transitive ~ sb + adv./prep. to put sb, especially a soldier, in a particular place so that they can guard a building or area
• Guards have been posted along the border.

• A police officer was posted outside the door to make sure the suspect didn't leave the building.  

PUBLIC NOTICE
6. transitive, often passive ~ sth + adv./prep. to put a notice, etc. in a public place so that people can see it
Syn:  display

• A copy of the letter was posted on the noticeboard.  

GIVE INFORMATION

7. transitive (especially NAmE) to announce sth publicly or officially, especially financial information or a warning
~ sth The company posted a $1.1 billion loss.
• A snow warning was posted for Ohio.

~ sb/sth + adj. The aircraft and its crew were posted missing.

8. transitive, intransitive to put information or pictures on a website
~ sth (on sth) The results will be posted on the Internet.
~ (on sth) The photos have been provided by fans who post on the message board.

• I've been posting now and again at ‘British Moneymaker’.  

PAY MONEY TO COURT
9. transitive ~ bail/(a) bond (especially NAmE) to pay money to a court so that a person accused of a crime can go free until their trial
She was released after posting $100 cash bond and her driver's license.
Verb forms:

Word Origin:
n. senses 6 to 8 and v. senses 6 to 7 Old English Latin postis ‘doorpost’ ‘rod, beam’ Middle English Old French post ‘pillar, beam’ Middle Dutch Middle Low German post ‘doorpost’
n. senses 1 to 3 and v. senses 1 to 3
early 16th cent. French poste Italian posta Latin posita ponere ‘to place’
n. senses 4 to 5 and v. senses 4 to 5 mid 16th cent. French poste Italian posto popular Latin positum ponere ‘to place’
 
Thesaurus:
post verb T (BrE)
Could you post this letter for me?
sendforward|especially AmE mail|formal, especially business dispatch
post/send/forward/mail/dispatch sth to sb
post/send/forward/mail/dispatch a letter/document
post/send/mail a/an invitation/package/parcel/postcard/reply  
Example Bank:
Balden was later posted to Luqa as station commander.
I should get this letter posted off this afternoon.
I'll post the information to you.
I'm hoping to be posted abroad.
A police officer was posted outside the door to make sure the suspect didn't leave the building.
• Most employees get posted abroad at some stage.

• She's been posted to Washington for two years.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

post / pəʊst /   / poʊst / verb [ T ] (LETTERS)

A2 UK ( US mail ) to send a letter or parcel by post:

Did you remember to post my letter?

I must post that parcel (off) or she won't get it in time for her birthday.

[ + two objects ] Could you post me the details/post the details to me?

UK to put an object through a letterbox (= special opening in a door) :

Just post the key through the door after you've locked it.

 

post / pəʊst /   / poʊst / verb [ T ] (PLACE)

C2 to send someone to a particular place to work:

He's been posted to Pakistan for six months.

Guards were posted at all the doors.
 

post / pəʊst /   / poʊst / verb [ T ] (MESSAGE)

to stick or pin a notice on a wall in order to make it publicly known:

Company announcements are usually posted (up) on the noticeboard.

B1 to leave an electronic message on a website:

Somebody's been posting obscene messages in this chat room.

 

post / pəʊst /   / poʊst / verb [ T ] US (PAY)

to pay money, especially so that a person who has been accused of committing a crime can be free until their trial:

She has agreed to post bail for her brother.

 

post / pəʊst /   / poʊst / verb [ T ] (RESULTS)

to announce a company's financial results:

The oil company posted profits of $25.1 billion.

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

post

I [po͟ʊst]LETTERS, PARCELS, AND INFORMATION
 

 posts, posting, posted
 1) N-SING: the N, also by N The post is the public service or system by which letters and packages are collected and delivered. [mainly BRIT]
  You'll receive your book through the post...
  The winner will be notified by post...
  The cheque is in the post.
  Syn:
  mail(in AM, usually use mail)
 2) N-UNCOUNT You can use post to refer to letters and packages that are delivered to you. [mainly BRIT]
  He flipped through the post without opening any of it...
  There has been no post in three weeks.
  Syn:
  mail(in AM, usually use mail)
 3) N-UNCOUNT: supp N Post is used to refer to an occasion when letters or packages are delivered. For example, first post on a particular day is the first time that things are delivered. [mainly BRIT]
  Entries must arrive by first post next Wednesday...
  They just have to wait patiently for the next post.
  Syn:
  delivery
 4) VERB If you post a letter or package, you send it to someone by putting it in a post box or by taking it to a post office. [mainly BRIT]
  [V n] If I write a letter, would you post it for me?...
  [V n n] I'm posting you a cheque tonight...
  [V n to n] I posted a letter to Stanley saying I was an old Army friend.
  Syn:
  mail
 PHRASAL VERB
 Post off means the same as post. V n P He'd left me to pack up the mail and post it off... V P n (not pron) All you do is complete and post off a form. (in AM, usually use mail)
 5) VERB If you post notices, signs, or other pieces of information somewhere, you fix them to a wall or board so that everyone can see them.
  [V n] Officials began posting warning notices...
  [V n prep/adv] She has posted photographs on bulletin boards.
 PHRASAL VERB
 Post up means the same as post. V n P He has posted a sign up that says `No Fishing'... Also V n P prep/adv V P n (not pron) We post up a set of rules for the house.
 6) VERB If you post information on the Internet, you make the information available to other people on the Internet.
  [be V-ed] A consultation paper has been posted on the Internet inviting input from Net users.
 7) PHRASE: keep inflects, oft PHR on/with n If you keep someone posted, you keep giving them the latest information about a situation that they are interested in.
  Keep me posted on your progress.II [po͟ʊst]JOBS AND PLACES
 ♦♦

 posts, posting, posted
 1) N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N of/as n A post in a company or organization is a job or official position in it, usually one that involves responsibility. [FORMAL]
  She had earlier resigned her post as President Menem's assistant...
  Sir Peter has held several senior military posts.
  Syn:
  position
 2) VERB: usu passive If you are posted somewhere, you are sent there by the organization that you work for and usually work there for several years.
  [be V-ed prep/adv] After training she was posted to Brixton...
  [be V-ed prep/adv] It is normal to spend two or three years working in this country before being posted overseas.
 3) N-COUNT: usu poss N You can use post to refer to the place where a soldier, guard, or other person has been told to remain and to do his or her job.
  Quick men, back to your post!
  Syn:
  station, position
 4) VERB If a soldier, guard, or other person is posted somewhere, they are told to stand there, in order to supervise an activity or guard a place.
  [be V-ed prep/adv] Police have now been posted outside all temples...
  [V n prep/adv] British Rail had to post a signalman at the entrance to the tunnel...
  [V-ed] We have guards posted near the windows. [Also be V-ed]
  Syn:
  position
 5) → See also posting, staging postIII [po͟ʊst]POLES
 posts
 (Please look at category 4 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.)
 1) N-COUNT A post is a strong upright pole made of wood or metal that is fixed into the ground.
  You have to get eight wooden posts, and drive them into the ground...
  The device is fixed to a post.
  Syn:
  pole
 2) N-COUNT A post is the same as a goalpost.
  Wimbledon were unlucky not to win after hitting the post twice.
  Syn:
  goalpost
 3) N-SING: the N On a horse-racing track, the post is a pole which marks the finishing point.
 4) → See also first-past-the-post
 to pip someone at the postsee pip

 

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

post
5post verb posts; posted; post·ing [+ obj]
1 always followed by an adverb or preposition : to assign (someone, such as a guard) to stand or stay at a particular place
• Paramedics were posted nearby.
• The general posted a guard outside the door to his tent.
2 chiefly Brit : to send (someone) to a place to work for a long period of time as part of a job - usually + to
• Her company is posting her to New York City.
- usually used as (be) posted
• He was posted to Munich, Germany.

- compare 2post

2post verb posts; post·ed; post·ing
1 [+ obj]
a : to put up (a sign, notice, etc.) so that it can be seen by many people
• When we lost our cat, we posted (up) signs all over the neighborhood asking if people had seen him.
• The professor posted (up) the students' exam grades outside her office.
b : to make (something) officially known to many people
• A snowstorm warning was posted [=announced] for the New England area.
• The company posted [=reported] increased profits for the third quarter.
2 : to add (a message) to an online message board

[+ obj]

• I read through the previous messages, then posted a quick response.

[no obj]

• She posts regularly to several newsgroups.
3 [+ obj] chiefly Brit : to send (a letter or package) by mail
• If you find anything I've left behind, just post [=mail] it to me.
keep (someone) posted : to regularly give (someone) the most recent news about something
Keep me posted on how the project is coming along.
• We don't know her condition yet, but we'll keep you posted.
post bail
- see 1bail

- compare 5post

 

bring

bring [verb] (TOWARDS PLACE)

to take or carry someone or something to a place or a person, or in the direction of the person speaking

US /brɪŋ/ 
UK /brɪŋ/ 
Example: 

Come and bring the book too.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

bring

 verb (brings, bringing, brought /, has brought)

1 to take something or somebody with you to a place:
Could you bring me a glass of water?
Can I bring a friend to the party?

2 to make something happen:
Money doesn't always bring happiness.

bring something back

1 to return something:
I've brought back the book you lent me.

2 to make you remember something:
These old photographs bring back a lot of happy memories.

bring somebody up to look after a child until they are grown up:
He was brought up by his aunt after his parents died.

bring something up

1 to be sick, so that food comes up from your stomach and out of your mouth

2 to start to talk about something:
Can you bring up this problem at the next meeting?

which word?
Bring, take or fetch? You bring something with you to the place where you are going: Bring your holiday photos to show me.He always brings me flowers.Can I bring a friend to the party? You take something to a different place: Don't forget to take your passport.Take an umbrella when you go out today. You go somewhere to fetch someone or something and bring them back: I'm going to fetch Sally from the airport.I'll fetch you a drink from the kitchen.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

bring

bring S1 W1 /brɪŋ/ BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle brought /brɔːt $ brɒːt/) [transitive]
[Language: Old English; Origin: bringan]
1.
a) to take something or someone with you to the place where you are now, or to the place you are talking about ⇨ take:
Did you bring an umbrella?
It was the first time Joey had ever brought a girl home.
They brought news of further fighting along the border.
bring somebody/something to somebody/something
Is it OK if I bring some friends to the party?
bring somebody/something with you
For some reason, Jesse had brought a tape recorder with him.
b) to get something for someone and take it to them
bring somebody something
Can you bring me another beer?
Robert asked the waiter to bring him the check.
While she was in prison, friends used to bring her books.
bring somebody/something to somebody/something
He expects me to bring everything to him.
2.
a) to make a particular situation exist, or cause a particular feeling:
efforts to bring peace to the region
The strikes are expected to bring chaos.
The senator’s speech brought an angry response from Civil Rights groups.
b) to cause someone or something to reach a particular state or condition
bring something to an end/a close/a halt/a conclusion (=make something stop)
The trial was swiftly brought to an end.
It was the war that first brought him to power (=made him have power over a country).
So far the US has been unable to bring him to justice (=make him be punished for his actions).
Bring the sauce to the boil (=heat it until it boils).
The country had been brought to its knees (=caused to be in such a bad condition that it is almost impossible to continue).
3. [always + adverb/preposition] to make something move in a particular direction
bring something up/down/round etc
Bring your arm up slowly until it’s level with your shoulder.
The storm brought the old oak tree crashing down.
4. [always + adverb/preposition] if something brings people to a place, it makes them go there:
The discovery of gold brought thousands of people to the Transvaal.
what brings you here? (=used to ask why someone is in a particular place)
What brings you here on a night like this?
5. to make something available for people to use, have, enjoy etc:
The expansion of state education brought new and wider opportunities for working class children.
bring something to somebody/something
The government is launching a new initiative to bring jobs to deprived areas.
bring somebody something
It’s a good sign – let’s hope it will bring us some luck.
6. if a period of time brings a particular event or situation, the event or situation happens during that time:
The 1930s brought unemployment and economic recession.
Who knows what the future will bring?
7. bring charges/a lawsuit/a court case/a prosecution/a claim (against somebody) to begin a court case in order to try to prove that someone has done something wrong or is legally responsible for something wrong:
Survivors of the fire later brought a billion-dollar lawsuit against the company.
The police say they are planning to bring charges against him.
8. bring a smile to sb’s lips/face to make someone smile:
Her words brought a sudden smile to his lips.
9. bring tears to sb’s eyes to make someone start to cry:
The pain brought tears to his eyes.
10. bring the total/number/score etc to something used when saying what the new total etc is:
This brings the total to 46.
11. cannot/could not bring yourself to do something to feel unable to do something because it would upset you or someone else too much:
She still can’t bring herself to talk about it.
12. spoken used when saying that something is the next thing that you want to talk about
that/this/which brings me to ...
This brings me to the main point of today’s meeting.
13. if a programme is brought to you by a particular television or radio company, they broadcast it or make it
something is brought to you by somebody
This programme is brought to you by the BBC.
14. bring something to bear (on/upon something) formal to use something, for example your power, authority, or your knowledge, in a way that will have a big effect on something or someone:
The full force of the law was brought to bear on anyone who criticized the government.
15. bring home the bacon informal to earn the money that your family needs to live

COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ nouns
bring peace/war The treaty brought peace to both England and France.
bring chaos A bomb scare brought chaos to the town centre yesterday.
bring somebody pleasure/joy/pain/grief etc The decision brought him great relief.
■ phrases
bring something to an end/halt (=especially something bad) It is our resonsibility to discuss how this conflict can be brought to an end.
bring something to a close (=especially a meeting) At last the meeting was brought to a close.
bring something to a conclusion (=used especially in law) Juvenile cases need to be brought to a conclusion quickly.
bring somebody to power (=make someone have power over a country) The revolution brought to power a communist government.
bring somebody to justice (=catch and punish someone for their actions) The authorities swore that the killers would be brought to justice.
bring somebody into contact with somebody/something The people of the island were suddenly brought into contact with the outside world.
bring something/somebody to their knees (=make it almost impossible for somebody/something to continue) A severe drought brought the country to its knees.

THESAURUS
bring to take something or someone to the place where you are now, or the place where you are going: Have you brought your ticket with you? | He asked his father if he could bring a friend to stay.
take to move something to another place, or help someone go to another place: I took a book with me to read on the train. | He was taken to hospital by ambulance.
get (also fetch especially British English) to go to another place and come back with something or someone: I went upstairs to get my jacket. | Joseph told me to fetch the doctor, so I ran to the village.
bring something ↔ about phrasal verb
to make something happen SYN cause:
How can we bring about a change in attitudes?
A huge amount of environmental damage has been brought about by the destruction of the rain forests.
bring somebody/something ↔ along phrasal verb
to take someone or something with you when you go somewhere:
You’re welcome to bring along a friend.
I’ve brought some pictures along to show you.
bring somebody/something around/round phrasal verb
1. bring the conversation around/round to something to deliberately and gradually introduce a new subject into a conversation:
I’ll try to bring the conversation around to the subject of money.
2. to make someone become conscious again:
I slapped his face a couple of times to try to bring him round.
3. to manage to persuade someone to do something or to agree with you:
She won’t listen to me. Let’s see if Sue can bring her round.
bring somebody/something around/round to
I’m sure I can bring him around to our point of view.
4. to bring someone or something to someone’s house:
I’ll bring the books around tomorrow.
bring back phrasal verb
1. bring something ↔ back to start to use something again that was used in the past SYN reintroduce:
The city council has decided to bring back the old electric trams.
Bringing back the death penalty has done absolutely nothing to reduce crime.
2. bring something ↔ back to make you remember something:
The trip brought back a lot of happy memories.
Seeing those pictures on TV brought it all back to me.
3. bring something ↔ back to take something or someone with you when you come back from somewhere
bring something back for somebody
Don’t forget to bring something back for the kids.
bring somebody back something
If you’re going to the store, could you bring me back a six-pack?
4. bring somebody ↔ back to return someone to their previous job or position of authority SYN reinstate:
Following their latest defeat, soccer fans are urging the club to bring back the former manager.
5. bring somebody back to something if something that is said brings you back to a particular subject, it is connected with that subject, so you will start talking about it again:
This brings us back to the question of funding.
bring somebody/something ↔ down phrasal verb
1. to reduce something to a lower level:
The government hopes these measures will help to bring down inflation.
2. to fly a plane down to the ground SYN land:
The pilot managed to bring the plane down safely.
3. to make a plane, bird, or animal fall to the ground by shooting at it:
A bomber had been brought down by anti-aircraft fire.
4. to force a government or ruler to stop ruling a country:
a crisis that could bring down the government
5. to make someone fall over:
He was brought down by the goalkeeper and awarded a penalty.
bring something ↔ down on/upon somebody phrasal verb
to make something bad happen to someone, especially to yourself or to people connected with you:
His recklessness brought down disaster on the whole family.
bring something ↔ forth phrasal verb literary
to produce something or make it appear:
a tragic love affair that brought forth only pain
bring something ↔ forward phrasal verb
1. to change an arrangement so that something happens sooner
bring something ↔ forward to
The meeting’s been brought forward to Thursday.
2. bring forward legislation/plans/policies etc to officially introduce plans etc for people to discuss:
The government has brought forward new proposals to tackle the problem of increasing crime.
3. to record the result of a calculation so that it can be used in a further calculation:
The balance brought forward is £21,765.
bring somebody/something ↔ in phrasal verb
1. to introduce a new law:
Harsh anti-Trade Union laws were brought in in the early 1980s.
2. to ask someone to become involved in a discussion or situation:
I’d like to bring in Doctor Hall here and ask him his views.
bring somebody in to do something
The police were brought in to investigate the matter.
3. to earn a particular amount or produce a particular amount of profit:
The sale of the house only brought in about £45,000.
4. to attract customers to a shop or business:
We’ve got to bring in more business if we want the restaurant to survive.
5. bring in a verdict to say officially in a law court whether someone is guilty or not guilty of a crime SYN return a verdict:
The jury brought in a verdict of not guilty.
bring somebody/something into something phrasal verb
1. to cause someone or something to be in a particular situation:
Most of the land has now been brought into cultivation.
The work brought me into contact with a lot of very interesting people.
2. to make someone become involved in a discussion or situation:
The government is trying to bring teachers into the debate on education.
There is a danger that this could bring other countries into the war.
bring something ↔ off phrasal verb
to succeed in doing something difficult SYN pull off:
They managed to bring off the most daring jewellery robbery in history.
bring something ↔ on phrasal verb
1. to make something bad or unpleasant happen SYN cause:
Stress can bring on an asthma attack.
What’s brought this on? Have I upset you somehow?
2. to help someone to improve or make progress:
Teachers have to bring on the bright children and at the same time give extra help to those who need it.
3. to make plants or crops grow faster:
Keeping the young plants in a greenhouse will help bring them on.
4. bring it on informal used to say that you are prepared and willing to deal with something bad that is likely to happen
bring something on/upon somebody phrasal verb
to make something unpleasant happen to someone:
You have brought disaster on the whole village!
bring something on/upon yourself
I’ve got no sympathy for him – he’s brought this all on himself!
bring somebody onto something phrasal verb
if something brings you onto a particular subject, it is a good time for you to start talking about it:
This brings me onto the question of pay rises.
bring something ↔ out phrasal verb
1. to make something easier to see, taste, notice etc:
The spices really bring out the flavour of the meat.
Fatherhood seems to have brought out the caring side of him.
2. to produce something that will be sold to the public:
He’s bringing out a new album next month.
3. to take something out of a place:
Jenny opened the cupboard and brought out a couple of bottles.
4. bring out the best/worst in somebody to make someone behave in the best or worst way that they can:
Alcohol just brings out the worst in her.
5. bring somebody out of himself/herself to make someone feel more confident and able to talk to people:
Changing schools has really brought her out of herself.
bring somebody out in something phrasal verb
if something brings you out in spots, it makes them appear on your skin:
Any foods containing wheat bring him out in a rash.
bring somebody/something round
⇨ BRING AROUND
bring somebody through (something) phrasal verb
to help someone to successfully deal with a very difficult event or period of time:
Both my children have brought me through extremely difficult times since my husband died.
bring somebody ↔ together phrasal verb
1. to arrange for people to meet and do something together:
We brought together researchers from three different universities to work on the project.
2. to make people have a better relationship or feel closer to each other:
Any attack by a foreign power will inevitably bring the people of a country together.
bring somebody/something ↔ up phrasal verb
1. to mention a subject or start to talk about it SYN raise:
Why did you have to bring up the subject of money?
2. to look after and influence a child until he or she is grown up SYN raise:
He was brought up by his grandparents.
bring somebody up to do something
In my day, children were brought up to respect the law.
be brought up (as) a Catholic/Muslim etc
I was brought up a Catholic. ⇨ ↑upbringing
3. to make something appear on a computer screen:
Can you bring up the list of candidates again?
4. British English if you bring food up, it comes back up from your stomach and out of your mouth:
I had a sandwich for lunch and promptly brought it up again.
5. to charge someone with a particular crime and make them go to a court to be judged
bring somebody/something ↔ up before
He was brought up before a magistrate, charged with dangerous driving.
6. bring somebody up short/with a start to surprise someone and make them suddenly stop talking or doing something:
Her question brought me up short.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

bring

 

bring [bring brings brought bringing]   [brɪŋ]    [brɪŋ]  verb (brought, brought   [brɔːt]  ;   [brɔːt]  )

 
COME WITH SB/STH
1. to come to a place with sb/sth
~ sb/sth (with you) Don't forget to bring your books with you.
~ sb/sth to sth She brought her boyfriend to the party.
~ sth for sb Bring a present for Helen.

~ sb sth Bring Helen a present.  

 

PROVIDE

2. to provide sb/sth with sth
~ sb/sth sth His writing brings him $10 000 a year.

~ sth to sb/sth The team's new manager brings ten years' experience to the job.  

 

CAUSE

3. ~ sth to cause sth
The revolution brought many changes.
The news brought tears to his eyes (= made him cry).

• Retirement usually brings with it a massive drop in income.

4. ~ sb/sth + adv./prep. to cause sb/sth to be in a particular condition or place
to bring a meeting to an end
Bring the water to the boil.
Mismanagement had brought the company to the brink of bankruptcy.
• The article brought her into conflict with the authorities.

• Hello Simon! What brings you here?  

 

MAKE SB/STH MOVE

5. to make sb/sth move in a particular direction or way
~ sb/sth + adv./prep. The judge brought his hammer down on the table.

~ sb/sth running Her cries brought the neighbours running (= made them run to her).  

 

ACCUSATION

6. ~ sth (against sb) to officially accuse sb of a crime

• to bring a charge/a legal action/an accusation against sb  

 

FORCE YOURSELF

7. ~ yourself to do sth to force yourself to do sth

• She could not bring herself to tell him the news.

Rem: Idioms containing bring are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example bring sb/sth to heel is at heel.
Derived: bring A and B together  bring in something  bring somebody around  bring somebody back  bring somebody before somebody  bring somebody down  bring somebody forth  bring somebody in  bring somebody in something  bring somebody on  bring somebody out  bring somebody out in something  bring somebody out of himself/herself  bring somebody round  bring somebody something back  bring somebody to  bring somebody up  bring somebody up against something  bring something about  bring something around to something  bring something back  bring something down  bring something forward  bring something off  bring something on  bring something on yourself  bring something out  bring something round to something  bring something up
See also: bring somebody around  bring somebody to  bring something around to something
Verb forms:

 
Word Origin:
Old English bringan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch brengen and German bringen.  
Thesaurus:
bring verb T
Bring your books with you.
takecarrydeliverleavetransportflyferry
bring/take/carry/deliver/transport/fly/ferry sb/sth to/from sb/sth
bring/take/carry/transport/fly/ferry sb/sth back/home
bring/take/carry/deliver/transport/ferry sb/sth by car, rail, truck, etc.
Bring or take? Take is used from the point of view of the person who is going somewhere with sth; bring is used from the point of view of sb who is already in the place the person is going to.  
Language Bank:
cause
X causes Y
Childhood obesity can cause / lead to long-term health problems.
Changes in lifestyle and diet over the last twenty years have caused / led to / resulted in a sharp increase in childhood obesity.
Several factors, including changes in diet and lifestyle, have contributed to the increase in childhood obesity.
Research suggests that fast food and soft drinks directly contribute to childhood obesity.
Genetics, lifestyle and diet are all important factors in cases of childhood obesity.
Even small changes in lifestyle and diet can bring about significant weight loss.
Language Banks at because of, consequently, therefore  
Example Bank:
Did you bring anything back with you?
I brought a couple of things from home to brighten the place up.
I've brought something to show you.
• Remember to bring your books with you.

• The ferries brought tourists in their hundreds.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

bring / brɪŋ / verb [ T ] ( brought , brought ) (TOWARDS PLACE)

A2 to take or carry someone or something to a place or a person, or in the direction of the person speaking:

"Shall I bring anything to the party?" "Oh, just a bottle."

[ + two objects ] Bring me that knife/Bring that knife to me.

Can you help me bring in the shopping (= take it into the house) ?

The police brought several men in for questioning (= took them to the police station because they might have been involved in a crime) .

When they visit us they always bring their dog with them.

 

bring / brɪŋ / verb [ T ] ( brought , brought ) (CAUSE)

B1 to cause, result in, or produce a state or condition:

[ + two objects ] She's brought us so much happiness over the years.

[ + -ing verb ] The explosion brought the whole building crash ing to the ground.

Several trees were brought down (= made to fall) by the storm.

The closure of the factory brought poverty to the town (= resulted in it becoming poor) .

Bring the water to the boil ( US to a boil ) (= make it start boiling) .

She suddenly brought the interview to an end .

Her tragic story brought tears to my eyes (= made me cry) .

What will the future bring for these refugees?

bring sb to sth to cause someone to come to a particular place or thing:

This subject brings me to the second part of the discussion.

What brings you (= why have you come) to London?

 

bring / brɪŋ / verb [ T ] ( brought , brought ) (LAW)

to make or begin as part of an official legal process:

He was arrested for fighting, but police have decided not to bring charges .

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

bring

[brɪ̱ŋ]
 
 brings, bringing, brought
 1) VERB If you bring someone or something with you when you come to a place, they come with you or you have them with you.
  [V n] Remember to bring an apron or an old shirt to protect your clothes...
  [V n] Come to my party and bring a girl with you...
  [V n with adv] Someone went upstairs and brought down a huge kettle...
  [V n for n with adv] My father brought home a book for me. [Also V n n with adv, V n prep]
 2) VERB If you bring something somewhere, you move it there.
  [V n with adv] Reaching into her pocket, she brought out a cigarette...
  [V n with adv] Her mother brought her hands up to her face. [Also V n prep]
 3) VERB If you bring something that someone wants or needs, you get it for them or carry it to them.
  [V n to/for n] He went and poured a brandy for Dena and brought it to her...
  [V n n] The stewardess kindly brought me a blanket. [Also V n]
 4) VERB To bring something or someone to a place or position means to cause them to come to the place or move into that position.
  [V n prep/adv] I told you about what brought me here...
  [V n prep/adv] The shock of her husband's arrival brought her to her feet...
  [V n -ing] Edna Leitch survived a gas blast which brought her home crashing down on top of her.
 5) VERB If you bring something new to a place or group of people, you introduce it to that place or cause those people to hear or know about it.
  [V n to n] ...a brave reporter who had risked death to bring the story to the world.
  [V n to n] ...the drive to bring art to the public.
 6) VERB To bring someone or something into a particular state or condition means to cause them to be in that state or condition.
  [V n prep] He brought the car to a stop in front of the square...
  [V n prep] His work as a historian brought him into conflict with the political establishment...
  [V n prep] The incident brings the total of people killed to fifteen...
  [V n with adv] They have brought down income taxes.
 7) VERB If something brings a particular feeling, situation, or quality, it makes people experience it or have it.
  [V n to/on/from n] He called on the United States to play a more effective role in bringing peace to the region...
  [V n to/on/from n] Kinkel said the attacks had brought disgrace on Germany...
  [V n to/on/from n] Banks have brought trouble on themselves by lending rashly...
  [V to n n] He brought to the job not just considerable experience but passionate enthusiasm...
  [V n n] Her three children brought her joy.
 8) VERB If a period of time brings a particular thing, it happens during that time.
  [V n] For Sandro, the new year brought disaster...
  [V n] We don't know what the future will bring.
 9) VERB If you bring a legal action against someone or bring them to trial, you officially accuse them of doing something illegal.
  [V n against n] He campaigned relentlessly to bring charges of corruption against former members of the government...
  [be V-ed to n] The ship's captain and crew may be brought to trial and even sent to prison.
 10) VERB If a television or radio programme is brought to you by an organization, they make it, broadcast it, or pay for it to be made or broadcast. [mainly BRIT]
  [be V-ed to n by n] You're listening to Science in Action, brought to you by the BBC World Service...
  [V n n] We'll be bringing you all the details of the day's events.(in AM, usually use sponsor)
 11) VERB When you are talking, you can say that something brings you to a particular point in order to indicate that you have now reached that point and are going to talk about a new subject.
  [V n to n] Which brings me to a delicate matter I should like to raise...
  [V n to n] And that brings us to the end of this special report from Germany.
 12) VERB: with brd-neg If you cannot bring yourself to do something, you cannot do it because you find it too painful, embarrassing, or disgusting.
  [V pron-refl to-inf] It is all very tragic and I am afraid I just cannot bring myself to talk about it at the moment.
  Syn:
  bear
 13) to bring something alivesee alive
 to bring something to bearsee bear
 to bring the house downsee house
 to bring up the rearsee rear
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - bring about
  - bring along
  - bring around
  - bring back
  - bring down
  - bring forward
  - bring in
  - bring off
  - bring on
  - bring out
  - bring round
  - bring to
  - bring up

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

bring

bring /ˈbrɪŋ/ verb brings; brought /ˈbrɑːt/; bring·ing [+ obj]
1 : to come with (something or someone) to a place
• I'll bring a bottle of wine (with me) when I come to your party.
• “Should I send you a check?” “Why not just bring me the money when you come?”
• Have you brought the money with you from the bank?
• She brought her boyfriend home to meet her parents.
• You stay where you are and I'll bring you another drink. = I'll bring another drink to you.
2 : to cause (something or someone) to come
• Her screams brought [=attracted] help.
• Her screams brought the neighbors running. [=the neighbors ran to help her when they heard her screams]
• Love of adventure brought her here before taking her to many other places.
• This radio station brings you all the news as it happens.
3 : to cause (something) to exist, happen, or start
• Can anything bring peace to this troubled region?
• In this part of the country, winter brings snow (with it).
• The tablets may bring (you) some relief.
• Having a baby has brought great happiness into her life.
• The sad story brought tears to our eyes [=made us cry] but its happy ending brought smiles to our lips. [=made us smile]
4 always followed by an adverb or preposition : to cause (something or someone) to reach a specified state, place, condition, etc.
• The dancer brought his hands up to his face.
• (US) Bring the water to a boil. = (Brit) Bring the water to the boil. [=heat the water so that it boils]
• The pilot brought them safely out of danger.
• Winter snow brought traffic to a stop.
• A few steps brought us to the front door.
• The thrilling climax brought the audience to its/their feet.
• This history book brings us up to the present day.
5 : to have (a particular talent, quality, etc.) when you start to do something (such as a job) - + to
• She brings years of experience to the position. [=she comes to the position with years of experience]
• He brings a rare talent for solving problems to his new job as company president.
6 law : to start a case against someone in a court of law
• They threatened to bring [=institute] legal action against him.
• They are going to bring charges against him. [=they are going to charge him with a crime]
7 : to cause (something) to reach a total - + to
• Last week's sales figures brought our pretax profits for the year to just over $35,000,000.
• The donation brought the fund to over a million dollars.
8 : to get (an amount of money) as a price : to be sold for (a price)
• The painting ought to bring [=fetch] a high price.

In addition to the phrases shown below, bring occurs in many idioms that are shown at appropriate entries throughout the dictionary. For example, bring to bear can be found at 2bear and bring to an end can be found at 1end.

bring about [phrasal verb] bring about (something) also bring (something) about : to cause (something)
• “What brought about the crisis?” “It was brought about by many factors.”
bring around chiefly US or chiefly Brit bring round [phrasal verb]
1 bring (someone) around : to cause (someone) to come around: such as
a : to cause (someone) to accept and support something (such as an idea) after opposing it
• She still says she won't support us, but we'll bring her around eventually. [=we'll convince/persuade her to support us eventually]
- often + to
• I'm sure we can bring her around to our way of thinking.
b : to cause (someone) to become awake again after being unconscious
• The boxer was knocked out and it took the doctor several minutes to bring him around. [=bring him to]
c : to come with (someone) for a social visit
• Why don't you bring your friend around (to my house) after work today?
2 bring (something) around : to cause (something, such as a conversation) to go to a desired subject or area - + to
• We gradually brought the conversation around to the subject of his unpaid bills.
bring back [phrasal verb]
1 bring (something or someone) back or bring back (something or someone)
a : to come back with (something or someone)
• What did you bring back (with you) from your vacation?
• You promised to bring back a present for me. = You promised to bring me back a present.
b : to cause (something or someone) to return
• The death penalty was done away with in this area many years ago, but some people now want it to be brought back.
• The movie is a fantasy about a man who is brought back (to life) from the dead.
• The company is doing poorly, and its former president is being brought back to help solve its problems.
c : to cause (something or someone) to return to a condition, subject, etc.
• That question brings us back (again) to the fundamental problem of world peace.
• We gradually brought the conversation back to the subject of his unpaid bills.
2 bring (something) back or bring back (something) : to cause (something) to return to someone's memory
• Seeing her again brought back a lot of happy memories.
• I had almost forgotten about the time we spent together, but seeing her again brought it all back (to me).
bring before [phrasal verb] bring (someone or something) before (someone or something) formal : to cause (someone or something) to come to (someone or something) for an official decision or judgment
• He was brought (up) before the judge on a charge of obstructing justice.
• The case was finally brought before the Supreme Court.
bring down [phrasal verb]
1 bring down (someone or something) or bring (someone or something) down : to cause (someone or something) to fall down onto the ground
• The deer was brought down by a single shot.
• The plane was brought down by enemy fire.
- often used figuratively
• The government was brought down by a vote of no confidence.
• a famous politician who was brought down by scandal
2 bring (something) down or bring down (something) : to cause (something) to become lower
• Will anything ever bring house prices down?
3 bring (someone) down informal : to cause (someone) to become sad or depressed
• All this rainy weather is really bringing me down. [=getting me down]
bring forth [phrasal verb] bring (something) forth or bring forth (something) somewhat formal : to produce (something)
• The rosebushes brought forth an abundance of flowers.
• He was able to bring forth persuasive arguments in support of his position. : to cause (something) to occur or exist
• Her controversial comments brought forth [=provoked] strong reactions from the public.
bring forward [phrasal verb] bring (something) forward or bring forward (something)
1 : to talk about or show (something) so that it can be seen or discussed by others
• The police have brought new evidence forward.
2 : to make the time of (something) earlier or sooner
• We need to bring the meeting forward from Tuesday to Monday so that more people can attend.
bring in [phrasal verb]
1 bring in (someone) or bring (someone) in : to cause (someone) to become involved in a process, activity, etc.
• The company has decided to bring in outside experts to help on the project.
2 bring in (something) or bring (something) in
a : to produce or earn (an amount of money)
• Each sale brought in $5.
• He works at a large company and brings in a good salary.
b law : to report (an official decision) to a court
• The jury brought in [=returned] a verdict of not guilty. [=the jury said that the defendant was not guilty]
c chiefly Brit : to introduce (a new law, rule, etc.)
• The government is going to bring in legislation to make such practices illegal.
3 bring in (someone or something) or bring (someone or something) in : to cause (someone or something) to come to a place
• The store is having a special sale in order to bring in [=attract] new customers/business.
• The police brought him in (to the police station) for questioning.
bring off [phrasal verb] bring (something) off also bring off (something) : to do (something difficult) : to achieve or accomplish (something)
• It's a challenging role. She's the only actress I know with enough talent to bring it off.
bring on [phrasal verb]
1 bring on (something) or bring (something) on : to cause (something) to appear or occur
• The crisis was brought on by many factors.
2 bring (something) on (someone) : to cause (something bad) to happen to (someone)
• You've brought nothing but shame on your family since the day you were born!
• I can't help thinking you've brought some of this trouble on yourself.
bring out [phrasal verb]
1 bring out (something) or bring (something) out
a : to show (something) : to cause (something) to appear or to be more easily seen
• The debate brought out [=highlighted] the differences between the two candidates.
• That blue sweater really brings out the color in your eyes.
• Our school aims to bring out [=develop] the talents in each of our students.
• A crisis brings out the best in some people and brings out the worst in others. [=a crisis causes some people to behave very well and other people to behave very badly]
b : to produce (something, such as a book) : to cause (something) to become available or to come out
• a writer who's expected to bring out a new novel next year
2 bring (someone) out in (something) Brit : to cause (someone) to begin to have (something, such as a rash) on the skin
• Eating strawberries brings me out in spots. [=eating strawberries makes me break out in spots]
bring round
- see bring around (above)
bring to [phrasal verb] bring (someone) to : to cause (someone) to become awake again after being unconscious
• The boxer was knocked out and it took the doctor several minutes to bring him to. [=bring him around]
bring together [phrasal verb] bring (people) together or bring together (people) : to cause (people) to join or meet : to cause (people) to come together
• She and her husband were brought together by a shared love of the natural world.
• The conference has brought together some of the world's leading experts on laser technology.
bring up [phrasal verb]
1 bring (someone) up or bring up (someone) : to take care of and teach (a child who is growing up)
• I was born and brought up [=raised, reared] in Chicago.
• My grandparents brought me up after my parents died.
• My parents brought me up to respect authority. [=my parents taught me to respect authority when I was a child]
2 bring (something) up or bring up (something)
a : to mention (something) when talking : to start to talk about (something)
• We were waiting for a suitable moment to bring up [=introduce, raise] the subject of his unpaid bills.
• I wasn't going to talk about money, but since you've brought it up, I guess it's something we should really discuss.
• I'm glad you mentioned money. That brings up the question of how much we can afford to spend.
b computers : to cause (something, such as a file or picture) to appear on a computer screen
• The system makes it easy to bring up (on the screen) information about any customer.
c1vomit
• The patient tried to eat some breakfast but immediately brought it back up again.
3 bring (someone) up : to cause (someone) to stop suddenly - used in phrases like bring up short and bring up suddenly
• He was just starting to argue when her scream brought him up short.
bring yourself : to force yourself to do something that you do not want to do - usually used in negative statements
• He knew that he should apologize, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.
- bring·er noun, pl -ers [count]
• a bringer of good news

congratulation

congratulation [noun]

Something that you say when you want to congratulate someone

US /kənˌɡrætʃ.əˈleɪ.ʃən/ 
UK /kənˌɡrætʃ.əˈleɪ.ʃən/ 
Example: 

"I passed my driving test yesterday." "Did you? Congratulations!"

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

congratulation

congratulation S3 /kənˌɡrætʃəˈleɪʃən, kənˌɡrætʃʊˈleɪʃən/ BrE AmE noun
1. congratulations
a) used when you want to congratulate someone:
‘I’ve just passed my driving test!’ ‘Congratulations!’
congratulations on
Congratulations on a superb performance!
b) words saying you are happy that someone has achieved something:
Give Oscar my congratulations.
2. [uncountable] when you tell someone that you are happy because they have achieved something or because something nice has happened to them:
letters of congratulation

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

congratulation

con·gratu·la·tion [congratulation congratulations]   [kənˌɡrætʃuˈleɪʃn]    [kənˌɡrætʃuˈleɪʃn]  noun
1. congratulations plural a message congratulating sb (= saying that you are happy about their good luck or success)

• to offer/send your congratulations to sb

2. Congratulations! used when you want to congratulate  sb
• ‘We're getting married!’ ‘Congratulations!’

• Congratulations on your exam results!

3. uncountable the act of congratulating sb
a letter of congratulation  
Word Origin:

late Middle English: from Latin congratulatio(n-), from the verb congratulari, from con- ‘with’ + gratulari ‘show joy’ (from gratus ‘pleasing’).

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

congratulation / kənˌɡræt.jʊˈleɪ.ʃ ə n / noun

congratulations [ plural ] A2 something that you say when you want to congratulate someone:

"I passed my driving test yesterday." "Did you? Congratulations!"

Congratulations on your engagement!

[ U ] the act of congratulating someone:

He sent her a note of congratulation on her election victory.

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

con·grat·u·la·tion /kənˌgræʧəˈleɪʃən, kənˌgræʤəˈleɪʃən/ noun, pl -tions
1 congratulations [plural]
a : a message telling someone that you are happy because of his or her success or good luck : words that congratulate someone
• Let me offer you my congratulations for/on being elected.
• Please send her my congratulations.
b
- used to tell someone that you are happy because of his or her success or good luck
• “I got promoted!” “Congratulations!”
- often + on
Congratulations on your promotion!
Congratulations on a job well done.
2 formal : the act of telling someone that you are happy because of his or her success or good luck : the act of congratulating someone

[plural]

• I sent her a letter/message of congratulations.

[noncount]

• a letter/message of congratulation

hold

hold [verb] (CONTAIN)

To take and keep something in your hand or arms

US /hoʊld/ 
UK /həʊld/ 

(با دست‌) گرفتن‌، نگهداشتن‌

Example: 

Can you hold the bag while I open the door?

Oxford Essential Dictionary

verb (holds, holding, held /, has held)

1 to have something in your hand or arms:
She was holding a gun.
He held the baby in his arms.

2 to keep something in a certain way:
Hold your hand up.
Try to hold the camera still.

3 to support the weight of somebody or something:
Are you sure that branch will hold you?

4 to have space for a certain number or amount:
The car holds five people.

5 to make something happen:
The meeting was held in the town hall.
It's impossible to hold a conversation with him.

hold somebody or something back to stop somebody or something from moving forwards:
The police held back the crowd.

Hold it! (informal) Wait! Don't move!

hold on

1 (informal) to wait same meaning hang on:
Hold on, I'm coming.

2 to keep holding something tightly:
The child held on to her mother's hand.

hold somebody or something up

1 to make somebody or something late:
The plane was held up for 40 minutes.

2 to try to steal from a place, using a gun:
Two men held up a bank in Bristol today.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

hold

I. hold1 S1 W1 /həʊld $ hoʊld/ BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle held /held/)
[Word Family: noun: ↑hold, ↑holder, ↑holding; verb: ↑hold]
[Language: Old English; Origin: healdan]
1. IN YOUR HAND/ARMS
a) [transitive] to have something in your hand, hands, or arms:
Could you hold my bag for me?
hold something in your hand/arms
He was holding a knife in one hand.
I held the baby in my arms.
hold hands (=hold each other’s hands)
They sat holding hands under a tree.
hold somebody close/tightly (=with your arms around someone)
Max held her close and wiped away her tears.
b) [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to move your hand or something in your hand in a particular direction
hold something out/up etc
He held out his hand to help her to her feet.
Hold the picture up so we can see it.
2. EVENT [transitive] to have a meeting, party, election etc in a particular place or at a particular time:
This year’s conference will be held at the Hilton Hotel.
A thanksgiving ceremony was held to mark the occasion.
The funeral was held on a grey day in November.
In April, the President held talks with Chinese leaders.
3. KEEP SOMETHING IN POSITION [transitive] to make something stay in a particular position
hold something open/up etc
We used rolled-up newspapers to hold the windows open.
Remember to hold your head up and keep your back straight.
hold something in place/position
A couple of screws should hold it in place.
Lift your head off the floor and hold this position for five seconds.
4. JOB/TITLE [transitive]
a) to have a particular job or position, especially an important one:
Do you really think he’s capable of holding such a responsible position?
hold the post/position/office etc (of something)
She was the first woman to hold the office of Australian state premier.
The governor had held the post since 1989.
Whoever is elected will hold office (=have an important political position) for four years.
b) to have a particular title or record, because you have won a competition, are the best at something etc:
The programme still holds the record for the longest running TV series.
The last Briton to hold the title was Bert Nicholson.
5. KEEP/STORE [transitive] to keep something to be used when it is needed:
Further copies of the book are held in the library.
Weapons were held at various sites.
6. KEEP SOMETHING AVAILABLE FOR SOMEBODY [transitive] to agree not to give something such as a ticket, a place at a restaurant, a job etc to anyone except a particular person:
We can hold the reservation for you until next Friday.
hold something open
You can’t expect them to hold the job open for much longer – you’ll have to decide whether you want it or not.
7. KEEP SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE [transitive] to keep someone somewhere, and not allow them to leave:
Police are holding two men in connection with the robbery.
hold somebody prisoner/hostage/captive
A senior army officer was held hostage for four months.
hold somebody incommunicado (=keep someone somewhere and not allow them to communicate with anyone)
8. OPINION [transitive not in progressive] to have a particular opinion or belief:
Experts hold varying opinions as to the causes of the disease.
be widely/generally/commonly held (=be the opinion of a lot of people)
This view is not widely held.
be held to be something
She was held to be one of the most talented actors of her time.
hold that
The judge held that the child’s interests in this case must come first.
9. hold somebody responsible/accountable/liable (for something) to say or decide that someone should accept the responsibility for something bad that happens:
If anything happens to her, I’ll hold you personally responsible.
He may have had a terrible childhood, but he should still be held accountable for his own actions.
10. OWN SOMETHING [transitive] to officially own or possess money, a document, a company etc:
He holds shares in ICI.
Do you hold a valid passport?
a privately held company
11. CONTAIN A PARTICULAR AMOUNT [transitive not in progressive] to have the space to contain a particular amount of something:
The movie theater holds 500 people.
The tank should hold enough to last us a few days.
12. SUPPORT [intransitive and transitive] to be strong enough to support the weight of something or someone:
Careful! I’m not sure that branch will hold you.
The bridge didn’t look as though it would hold.
13. STAY AT SAME LEVEL [intransitive and transitive] to stay at a particular amount, level, or rate, or to make something do this:
The bank is holding interest rates at 4%.
Since then, the pound has held steady against the dollar.
hold sb’s interest/attention (=make someone stay interested)
Colourful pictures help hold the students’ interest.
14. NOT CHANGE [intransitive] to continue to be true, good, available etc:
What I said yesterday holds.
Does your invitation still hold?
hold true/good
Twenty years on, his advice still holds good.
weather/luck holds (out) (=continues to be good)
If our luck holds, we could reach the final.
15. STOP/DELAY [transitive] spoken used in particular phrases to tell someone to wait or not to do something:
I’ll have a tuna fish sandwich please – and hold the mayo (=do not give me any).
hold it!
Hold it! We’re not quite ready.
hold your horses! (=used to tell someone to do something more slowly or carefully)
16. hold your head up (also hold your head high) to behave as if you are proud of yourself or respect yourself:
They may have lost the game, but I still think they’ve earned the right to hold their heads high today.
17. hold your breath
a) to deliberately not breathe out for a short time:
Hold your breath and count to ten.
b) to not breathe out and try not to make a sound because you do not want to be noticed:
Julie shrank back against the wall and held her breath.
c) not hold your breath spoken used to say that you do not expect something to happen, even though someone has said it will:
He promised he’d phone, but I’m not holding my breath.
18. hold (your) fire
a) to not shoot at someone when you were going to
b) to not criticize, attack, or oppose someone when you were going to:
The President urged his party to hold fire on the issue a few days longer.
19. TELEPHONE [intransitive] (also hold the line) spoken to wait until the person you have telephoned is ready to answer:
Mr Stevens is busy at the moment – would you like to hold?
Please hold the line while I transfer you.
20. ARMY [transitive] if an army holds a place, it controls it or defends it from attack:
The French army held the town for three days.
21. MUSICAL NOTE [transitive] to make a musical note continue for a particular length of time
22. FUTURE [transitive] formal if the future holds something, that is what may happen:
Thousands of workers are waiting to see what the future holds.
23. HAVE A QUALITY [transitive] formal to have a particular quality
hold (little) interest/appeal/promise etc
Many church services hold little appeal for modern tastes.
24. hold your own (against somebody) to successfully defend yourself or succeed in a difficult situation, competition etc:
He was a good enough player to hold his own against the Americans.
25. not hold a candle to somebody/something to be much worse than someone or something else
26. be left holding the baby British English, be left holding the bag American English to be left as the only person responsible for dealing with a difficult situation, especially something someone else started:
He was left holding the financial baby when his musical partner joined another band.
27. hold sway to have a lot of influence or power:
Among people here, traditional values still hold sway.
28. hold court to get the attention of everyone while you are talking, especially when you are trying to entertain people:
Joey would walk into the bar and hold court all night.
29. hold your tongue spoken used to tell someone to stop talking or to not tell someone about something:
I reckon you’ve just got to learn to hold your tongue.
30. hold all the cards to have all the advantages in a situation in which people are competing or arguing:
‘There’s not much we can do. They seem to hold all the cards,’ said Dan gloomily.
31. hold fast (to something) to keep believing strongly in something
32. hold a conversation to have a conversation
33. hold the fort to be responsible for something while the person usually responsible for it is not there:
She’s holding the fort while the manager’s on holiday.
34. hold the lead/advantage to be winning in a competition, game etc:
Celtic held the lead in the first half.
35. there’s no holding somebody (back) spoken used to say that someone is so determined to do something that you cannot prevent them from doing it
36. can hold your drink/liquor/alcohol etc to be able to drink a lot of alcohol without getting drunk or ill
37. not hold water if an excuse, a statement etc does not hold water, it does not seem to be true or reasonable
38. hold something/somebody dear formal to care about something or someone a lot:
We were facing the loss of everything we held dear.
39. hold the road if a car holds the road well, you can drive it quickly around bends without losing control
hold a course at ↑course1(8)
• • •
THESAURUS
hold to have something in your hand, hands, or arms: Maria came in holding a letter. | Can I hold the baby?
grip to hold something very tightly and not let it go: He gripped her arm so she couldn’t walk away. | Jenny gripped the side of the boat to steady herself.
clutch to hold something tightly, especially because you do not want to drop or lose it: A businessman hurried past, clutching his briefcase. | The little girl clutched onto his hand.
clasp written to hold someone or something tightly, closing your fingers or arms around them: She was clasping a bunch of small summer flowers. | He clasped her in his arms and kissed her.
get/take hold of something to take something in your hand or hands and hold it: I took hold of the handle and pulled as hard as I could. | Quickly – try and get hold of that frog!
grasp written to take hold of something firmly, especially in a determined way: She grasped the lowest branch and pulled herself up into the tree.
grab to take hold of something suddenly and often violently: He grabbed my bag and ran off with it. | The other man grabbed hold of (=suddenly took hold of ) my arms and threatened me with a knife.
seize /siːz/ written to take hold of something suddenly and often violently: A police officer ran after him and seized the gun.
hang on (to something) to hold on to something or someone tightly to support yourself: He hung on to the rail at the back of the motorbike. | Hang on tight!
keep hold of something to continue to hold something: Greg was struggling to keep hold of the dog. | She tried to take her hand away but he kept hold of it.
hold something against somebody phrasal verb
to continue to dislike someone or not forgive them because of something bad they have done in the past:
You can’t still hold that against him, surely?
hold back phrasal verb
1. hold somebody/something ↔ back to make someone or something stop moving forward:
Police in riot gear held back the demonstrators.
2. hold something ↔ back to stop yourself from feeling or showing a particular emotion:
She struggled to hold back her tears.
Anger flooded through her. She couldn’t hold it back.
3. hold somebody/something ↔ back to prevent someone or something from making progress:
They felt the British economy was being held back by excessive government controls.
4. hold (somebody) back to be unwilling to do something, especially because you are being careful, or to make someone unwilling to do something:
In the current situation many investors are holding back.
She wanted to tell him but pride held her back.
5. hold something ↔ back to keep something secret:
Tell me all about it – don’t hold anything back!
hold somebody/something ↔ down phrasal verb
1. to make someone or something stay on something, and stop them from moving away or escaping:
We had to hold the tent down with rocks to stop it blowing away.
It took three strong men to hold him down.
2. to prevent the level of something such as prices from rising:
We will aim to hold down prices.
3. hold down a job to succeed in keeping a job for a period of time:
He’s never held down a job for longer than a few weeks.
4. to keep people under control or limit their freedom:
The people were held down for centuries by their conquerors.
hold forth phrasal verb
to give your opinion on a subject, especially for a long time
hold forth on
The speaker was holding forth on the collapse of modern society.
hold off phrasal verb
1. to delay doing something:
Buyers have been holding off until the price falls.
hold off (on) doing something
Hold off making your decision until Monday.
2. hold somebody ↔ off
a) to prevent someone who is trying to attack or defeat you from succeeding:
Not even a gun could hold him off forever.
b) to prevent someone from coming towards you or succeeding in speaking to you:
There’s already a crowd of reporters outside – I’ll try to hold them off for a while.
3. if rain or bad weather holds off, it does not start, although it looked as if it would:
The rain held off until after the game.
hold on phrasal verb
1. spoken
a) to wait for a short time:
Hold on, I’ll just get my coat.
b) used when you have just noticed, heard, or remembered something interesting or wrong:
Hold on a minute! Isn’t that your brother’s car over there?
c) used to ask someone on the telephone to wait until the person they want to talk to is available:
Can you hold on? I’ll try to find her.
2. to have your hands or arms tightly around something:
Hold on tight!
hold on to
Hold on to my arm.
3. to continue doing something that is very difficult to do:
San Francisco held on to win 4–2.
hold on to somebody/something phrasal verb
to keep something rather than losing it, selling it, or giving it to someone else:
The soldiers held on to the bridge for three more days.
I think I’ll hold on to these old records for now.
hold out phrasal verb
1. hold out something to think or say that something is possible or likely to happen, especially something good
not hold out much hope/hold out little hope
Negotiators aren’t holding out much hope of a peaceful settlement.
hold out the prospect/promise of something
alternative methods which hold out the promise of improved health
2. if a supply of something holds out, there is still some left:
Water supplies won’t hold out much longer.
3. to continue to successfully defend a place that is being attacked:
The rebels held out for another night but then fresh forces arrived.
4. to try to prevent yourself from doing something that someone is trying to force you to do
hold out against
I didn’t know how much longer I could hold out against their relentless questioning.
hold out for something phrasal verb
to not accept anything less than you have asked for:
Transport workers are holding out for a 20% pay rise.
hold out on somebody phrasal verb informal
to not tell someone about something important:
She must have been holding out on him all these years.
hold something over phrasal verb
1. [usually passive] formal to do or deal with something at a later time:
The matter was held over for further review. ⇨ ↑holdover
2. hold something over somebody to use something bad that you know about someone to make them do what you want:
He knows I’ve been in prison and is holding it over me.
3. be held over especially American English if a play, film, concert etc is held over, it is shown for longer than planned because it is very popular
hold to something phrasal verb
1. if you hold to a belief, principle, promise etc, you believe it or behave according to it:
He admitted he did not hold to the traditional view of God.
2. hold somebody to something to make someone do what they have promised:
‘I’ll ask him tomorrow.’ ‘OK, but I’m going to hold you to that.’
3. hold somebody to something British English to prevent your opponent in a sports game from getting more than a particular number of points:
Norway held Holland to a 2–2 draw.
hold together phrasal verb
1. if a group or an organization holds together, or if something holds it together, it stays strong and does not separate into different parts or groups:
Against all expectations, the coalition held together well.
hold something ↔ together
In those days the Church held the community together.
2. to remain whole and good enough to use, or to make something do this:
Incredibly, the raft held together till we reached the opposite shore.
hold something ↔ together
I wondered how the structure was held together.
hold up phrasal verb
1. hold something ↔ up to support something and prevent it from falling down:
The roof is held up by massive stone pillars.
2. hold somebody/something ↔ up [usually passive] to delay someone or something:
Sorry I’m late – I was held up at work.
3. hold up something to rob or try to rob a place or person by using violence:
Two armed men held up a downtown liquor store last night. ⇨ ↑hold-up
4. to not become weaker:
His physical condition has held up well.
hold somebody/something up as something phrasal verb
to use someone or something as a good example or as proof of something:
The school is held up as a model for others.
This incident will be held up as proof that tougher controls are needed.
hold with something phrasal verb
not hold with something British English used to say that someone does not approve of something:
He says he doesn’t hold with all this politically correct stuff.
not hold with doing something
I don’t hold with hitting children in any circumstances.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

hold

 

hold [hold holds held holding] verb, noun   [həʊld]    [hoʊld]

verb (held, held   [held]  ;   [held]  

IN HAND/ARMS
1. transitive ~ sb/sth (+ adv./prep.) to carry sth; to have sb/sth in your hand, arms, etc
She was holding a large box.
I held the mouse by its tail.
The girl held her father's hand tightly.
He was holding the baby in his arms.
The winning captain held the trophy in the air.
We were holding hands (= holding each other's hands).

• The lovers held each other close.

2. transitive ~ sth to put your hand on part of your body, usually because it hurts

• She groaned and held her head.  

IN POSITION

3. transitive to keep sb/sth in a particular position
~ sth (+ adv./prep.) Hold your head up.
Hold this position for a count of 10.
The wood is held in position by a clamp.
I had to hold my stomach in (= pull the muscles flat) to zip up my jeans.

~ sth + adj. I'll hold the door open for you.  

SUPPORT

4. transitive ~ sb/sth to support the weight of sb/sth

• I don't think that branch will hold your weight.  

CONTAIN

5. transitive ~ sb/sth to have enough space for sth/sb; to contain sth/sb
• This barrel holds 25 litres.

• The plane holds about 300 passengers.  

SB PRISONER

6. transitive to keep sb and not allow them to leave
~ sb Police are holding two men in connection with last Thursday's bank raid.

~ sb + noun He was held prisoner for two years.  

CONTROL

7. transitive ~ sth to defend sth against attack; to have control of sth

• The rebels held the radio station.  

REMAIN

8. intransitive to remain strong and safe or in position

• They were afraid the dam wouldn't hold.

9. intransitive to remain the same
• How long will the fine weather hold?

• If their luck holds, they could still win the championship.  

KEEP

10. transitive ~ sth to keep sb's attention or interest

• There wasn't much in the museum to hold my attention.

11. transitive ~ sth (at sth) to keep sth at the same level, rate, speed, etc
• Hold your speed at 70.

• Interest rates have been held at 8% for a year now.

12. transitive ~ sth to keep sth so that it can be used later
records held on computer
• Our solicitor holds our wills.

• We can hold your reservation for three days.  

OWN

13. transitive ~ sth (rather formal) to own or have sth

• Employees hold 30% of the shares.  

JOB

14. transitive ~ sth to have a particular job or position
• How long has he held office?

• Mrs Thatcher held the post of Prime Minister longer than anyone else last century.  

RECORD/TITLE

15. transitive ~ sth to have sth you have gained or achieved
• Who holds the world record for the long jump?

• She held the title of world champion for three years.  

OPINION

16. transitive to have a belief or an opinion about sb/sth
~ sth He holds strange views on education.
~ sb/sth + adv./prep./adj. She is held in high regard by her students (= they have a high opinion of her).

• firmly-held beliefs

17. transitive (formal) to consider that sth is true
~ that… I still hold that the government's economic policies are mistaken.
~ sb/sth + adj. Parents will be held responsible for their children's behaviour.

be held to be sth These vases are held to be the finest examples of Greek art.  

MEETING

18. transitive, usually passive ~ sth to have a meeting, competition, conversation, etc
The meeting will be held in the community centre.
• It's impossible to hold a conversation with all this noise.

• The country is holding its first free elections for 20 years.  

ROAD/COURSE

 

19. transitive ~ the road (of a vehicle) to be in close contact with the road and easy to control, especially when driven fast

20. transitive ~ a course (of a ship or an aircraft) to continue to move in a particular direction  

IN MUSIC

21. transitive ~ sth to make a note continue for a particular time  

ON TELEPHONE
22. intransitive, transitive to wait until you can speak to the person you have telephoned
• That extension is busy right now. Can you hold?

~ the line She asked me to hold the line.  

STOP

23. transitive ~ sth used to tell sb to stop doing sth or not to do sth
Hold your fire! (= don't shoot)
Hold the front page! (= don't print it until a particular piece of news is available)

(NAmE, informal) Give me a hot dog, but hold the (= don't give me any) mustard.

Rem: Most idioms containing hold are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example hold the fort is at fort.
 
Word Origin:
v. and n. senses 1 to 4 Old English haldan healdan Germanic Dutch houden German halten Old Norse hald ‘hold, support, custody’
n. sense 5 late 16th cent. holl Old English hol holian Germanic Dutch hol ‘cave’ ‘hollow’ German hohl ‘hollow’ Indo-European ‘cover, conceal’ -d hold
 
Thesaurus:
hold verb
1. T
He held the baby gently in his arms.
clutchgriphold on/hold onto sb/sthgraspclinghang onhandle|written clasp
Opp: drop, Opp: release, Opp: let go of sth
hold/clutch/grip/clasp sth in your hand/hands/arms
hold/clutch/grip/hold on to/grasp/cling/hang on to/clasp sb/sth by/with sth
hold/clutch/grip/grasp/hang/clasp on to sth
hold/clutch/grip/hold onto/grasp/cling on to/clasp sb's hand
2. T
Careful, that branch won't hold your weight!
supporthold sb/sth upbearcarryprop sth up
hold/support/bear/carry the weight of sb/sth
Hold or bear? Bear is more formal and can also be used figuratively:
(figurative) He seemed unable to bear the weight of his responsibility.
 ¤ He seemed unable to hold the weight of his responsibility.
3. T
He was held prisoner for two years.
send sb to prisoninterndetainimprison|informal lock sb up/away|formal incarcerate|especially journalism jail
Opp: release
hold/send to prison/intern/lock up/detain/imprison/jail sb for sth
hold/lock up/detain/imprison/incarcerate sb in sth
hold/detain/imprison/jail sb without trial/charge
4. T
Your personal records are held on computer.
keepstore|formal retain
hold/keep/store/retain information/data
hold/keep a record/records
still/no longer hold/keep/store/retain sth
5. T, often passive
The conference was held in Oregon.
havehostgivecall|informal throw|formal convene
hold/have/host/give/call/convene a conference
hold/have/call/convene a meeting
hold/have/host/give/throw a party
hold/have a conversation/debate/discussion  
Synonyms:
hold
hold on cling clutch grip grasp clasp hang on
These words all mean to have sb/sth in your hands or arms.
holdto have sb/sth in your hand or arms: She was holding a large box. I held the baby gently in my arms.
hold on (to sb/sth)to continue to hold sb/sth; to put your hand on sb/sth and not take your hand away: Hold on and don't let go until I say so.
clingto hold on to sb/sth tightly, especially with your whole body: Survivors clung to pieces of floating debris.
clutchto hold sb/sth tightly, especially in your hand; to take hold of sth suddenly: She stood there, the flowers still clutched in her hand. He felt himself slipping and clutched at a branch.
gripto hold on to sth very tightly with your hand: Grip the rope as tightly as you can.
graspto take hold of sth firmly: He grasped my hand and shook it warmly.
The object of grasp is often sb's hand or wrist.
clasp(formal) to hold sb/sth tightly in your hand or in your arms: They clasped hands (= held each other's hands) . She clasped the children in her arms.
The object of clasp is often your hands, sb else's hand or another person.
hang on (to sth)to hold on to sth very tightly, especially in order to support yourself or stop yourself from falling: Hang on tight. We're off!
to hold/clutch/grip/clasp sth in your hand/hands
to hold/catch/clasp sb/sth in your arms
to hold/clutch/grip/grasp/clasp/hang on to sth
to hold/cling/hang on
to hold/clutch/clasp sb/sth to you
to hold/hold on to/cling to/clutch/grip/grasp/clasp/hang on to sb/sth tightly
to hold/hold on to/cling to/clutch/grip/grasp/clasp sb/sth firmly
to hold/hold on to/clutch/grip/clasp/hang on to sb/sth tight  
Example Bank:
This view is not widely held.
deeply held religious beliefs
privately held views
Applicants must hold a full driving licence.
Eight people were held hostage for four months.
Employees do not have access to personal records held on computer.
He has very firmly-held religious beliefs.
He held her by the shoulders.
He was born in South Africa but he holds a British passport.
I don't think that branch will hold your weight.
I held the baby gently in my arms.
I still hold that the government's economic policies are mistaken.
It's impossible to hold a conversation with all this noise.
Parents will be held responsible for their children's behaviour.
Police are holding two men in connection with last Thursday's bank raid.
She is held in high regard by her students.
She was held captive in a castle.
The captain held the trophy in the air.
The company has held the advertising contract since 2005.
The girl held her father's hand tightly.
The next conference will be held in Ohio.
They walked along the street, holding hands.
Idioms: catch/get/grab/take hold of somebody  get hold of somebody  get hold of something  hold good  hold it  no holds barred  on hold  take hold  there is no holding somebody

Derived: hold back  hold forth  hold off  hold on  hold on to somebody  hold on to something  hold onto something  hold out  hold out for something  hold out on somebody  hold out something  hold somebody back  hold somebody down  hold somebody off  hold somebody to something  hold somebody up  hold something against somebody  hold something back  hold something down  hold something in  hold something on  hold something out  hold something over  hold something over somebody  hold something together  hold together  hold up  hold up something  hold with something 

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

hold / həʊld /   / hoʊld / verb ( held , held ) (SUPPORT)

hold hands

A2 [ T ] to take and keep something in your hand or arms:

Can you hold the bag while I open the door?

He was holding a gun.

The little girl held her mother's hand .

He held her in his arms.

[ + obj + adj ] Could you hold the door open , please?

Rosie held out an apple for the horse.

All those who agree please hold up their hand (= raise their arm) .

[ T ] to support something:

Will the rope be strong enough to hold my weight?

Each wheel is held on with four bolts.

The parts are held together with glue.

hold your nose to press your nose tightly between thumb and finger in order to close it:

I have to hold my nose when I jump into water.

hold hands A2 When two people hold hands, one person holds the other person's hand in their hand, especially to show that they love each other:

They walked along holding hands.

→  See also hand in hand
 

hold / həʊld /   / hoʊld / verb ( held , held ) (CONTAIN)

B1 [ T not continuous ] to contain or be able to contain something:

This jug holds exactly one pint.

One bag won't hold all of the shopping - we'd better take two.

Computers can hold huge amounts of information.

[ T not continuous ] to have or contain something that a person will experience:

Who can tell what the future holds?

She's very religious, so death holds no fear for her.
 

hold / həʊld /   / hoʊld / verb [ T ] ( held , held ) (CONTROL)

C1 to have something, especially a position or money, or to control something:

He currently holds the position of technical manager.

The bank holds large reserves of gold.

Despite incurring heavy losses, the rebels now hold the town and the surrounding hills.
 

hold / həʊld /   / hoʊld / verb [ T ] ( held , held ) (IN A COMPETITION)

B2 to have a particular position in a competition:

She holds the world record .

They held the lead until the 89th minute.
 

hold / həʊld /   / hoʊld / verb ( held , held ) (KEEP)

C1 [ T ] to keep something, especially when it might have been lost:

I asked the shop to hold the dress for me until this afternoon.

You have to be a fairly good speaker to hold an audience's attention/interest .

B2 [ T ] to keep someone in a place so that they cannot leave:

The police are holding several people in custody (= at the police station) for questioning.

[ + obj + noun ] The terrorists held him hostage for 18 months.

I was held prisoner in a tiny attic room.
 

hold / həʊld /   / hoʊld / verb [ T ] ( held , held ) (MAKE HAPPEN)

B1 to have something such as a meeting or an election:

Could we hold a meeting to discuss this tomorrow afternoon?

The election will be held on 8 August .

I find it's almost impossible to hold a sensible conversation with her.
 

hold / həʊld /   / hoʊld / verb [ I or T ] ( held , held ) (CONTINUE)

to cause to stay or continue in the same way as before:

Let's hope our good luck holds.

I hope the repair holds until we get the car to a garage.

The old adage that 'money talks' still holds true (= is still true) .

The government is committed to holding exports at their present level.

The ship/aircraft held its course.
 

hold / həʊld /   / hoʊld / verb [ T not continuous ] ( held , held ) (BELIEVE)

to believe an idea or opinion:

[ + to infinitive ] Small amounts of alcohol are held to be good for the heart.

You sold it to me, so if it breaks I'll hold you responsible (= make you take responsibility) .
 

hold / həʊld /   / hoʊld / verb [ I or T ] ( held , held ) (DELAY)

to wait, or to stop something temporarily:

They've decided to hold all future deliveries until the invoice has been paid.

How long can you hold your breath (= stop breathing) ?

Will you hold my calls for the next half hour please?

She's on the phone at the moment - will you hold (the line) (= wait on the phone until she can speak to you) ?
 

hold / həʊld /   / hoʊld / verb [ T ] ( held , held ) US (NOT INCLUDE)

If you ask someone to hold something, you do not want them to include it:

I'd like a ham sandwich on rye, hold the lettuce.

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

hold
I. PHYSICALLY TOUCHING, SUPPORTING, OR CONTAINING

/hoʊld/

(holds, holding, held)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
When you hold something, you carry or support it, using your hands or your arms.
Hold the knife at an angle...
He held the pistol in his right hand...
VERB: V n prep/adv, V n

Hold is also a noun.
He released his hold on the camera.
N-COUNT: usu sing
2.
Hold is used in expressions such as grab hold of, catch hold of, and get hold of, to indicate that you close your hand tightly around something, for example to stop something moving or falling.
I was woken up by someone grabbing hold of my sleeping bag...
A doctor and a nurse caught hold of his arms...
N-UNCOUNT: N of n
3.
When you hold someone, you put your arms round them, usually because you want to show them how much you like them or because you want to comfort them.
If only he would hold her close to him.
VERB: V n adv, also V n
4.
If you hold someone in a particular position, you use force to keep them in that position and stop them from moving.
He then held the man in an armlock until police arrived...
I’d got two nurses holding me down.
VERB: V n prep, V n with adv, also V n
5.
A hold is a particular way of keeping someone in a position using your own hands, arms, or legs.
...use of an unauthorized hold on a handcuffed suspect.
N-COUNT
6.
When you hold a part of your body, you put your hand on or against it, often because it hurts.
Soon she was crying bitterly about the pain and was holding her throat.
VERB: V n
7.
When you hold a part of your body in a particular position, you put it into that position and keep it there.
Hold your hands in front of your face...
He walked at a rapid pace with his back straight and his head held erect.
VERB: V n prep/adv, V-ed, also V n adj
8.
If one thing holds another in a particular position, it keeps it in that position.
...the wooden wedge which held the heavy door open...
They used steel pins to hold everything in place.
VERB: V n with adv, V n prep
9.
If one thing is used to hold another, it is used to store it.
Two knife racks hold her favourite knives.
= store
VERB: V n
10.
In a ship or aeroplane, a hold is a place where cargo or luggage is stored.
A fire had been reported in the cargo hold.
N-COUNT: oft n N
11.
If a place holds something, it keeps it available for reference or for future use.
The Small Firms Service holds an enormous amount of information on any business problem...
VERB: V n
12.
If something holds a particular amount of something, it can contain that amount.
One CD-ROM disk can hold over 100,000 pages of text.
VERB: no cont, V n
13.
If a vehicle holds the road well, it remains in close contact with the road and can be controlled safely and easily.
I thought the car held the road really well.
VERB: V n adv, also V n
14.
see also holding

II. HAVING OR DOING

/hoʊld/

(holds, holding, held)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
Note: 'Hold' is often used to indicate that someone or something has the particular thing, characteristic, or attitude that is mentioned. Therefore it takes most of its meaning from the word that follows it.
1.
Hold is used with words and expressions indicating an opinion or belief, to show that someone has a particular opinion or believes that something is true.
He holds certain expectations about the teacher’s role...
Current thinking holds that obesity is more a medical than a psychological problem...
The public, meanwhile, hold architects in low esteem.
...a widely held opinion.
VERB: no cont, V n, V that, V n in n, V-ed
2.
Hold is used with words such as ‘fear’ or ‘mystery’ to indicate someone’s feelings towards something, as if those feelings were a characteristic of the thing itself.
Death doesn’t hold any fear for me...
It held more mystery than even the darkest jungle...
VERB: no passive, V n for n, V n
3.
Hold is used with nouns such as ‘office’, ‘power’, and ‘responsibility’ to indicate that someone has a particular position of power or authority.
She has never held ministerial office...
VERB: V n
4.
Hold is used with nouns such as ‘permit’, ‘degree’, or ‘ticket’ to indicate that someone has a particular document that allows them to do something.
He did not hold a firearm certificate...
Passengers holding tickets will receive refunds.
VERB: V n, V n
5.
Hold is used with nouns such as ‘party’, ‘meeting’, ‘talks’, ‘election’, and ‘trial’ to indicate that people are organizing a particular activity.
The German sports federation said it would hold an investigation.
VERB: V n
hold‧ing
They also called for the holding of multi-party general elections.
N-UNCOUNT: N of n
6.
Hold is used with nouns such as ‘conversation’, ‘interview’, and ‘talks’ to indicate that two or more people meet and discuss something.
The Prime Minister, is holding consultations with his colleagues to finalise the deal...
The engineer and his son held frequent consultations concerning technical problems...
They can’t believe you can even hold a conversation.
V-RECIP: V n with n, pl-n V, V n (non-recip)
7.
Hold is used with nouns such as ‘shares’ and ‘stock’ to indicate that someone owns a particular proportion of a business.
The group said it continues to hold 1,774,687 Vons shares...
VERB: V n
see also holding
8.
Hold is used with words such as ‘lead’ or ‘advantage’ to indicate that someone is winning or doing well in a contest.
He continued to hold a lead in Angola’s presidential race...
VERB: V n
9.
Hold is used with nouns such as ‘attention’ or ‘interest’ to indicate that what you do or say keeps someone interested or listening to you.
If you want to hold someone’s attention, look them directly in the eye but don’t stare...
= keep
VERB: V n
10.
If you hold someone responsible, liable, or accountable for something, you will blame them if anything goes wrong.
It’s impossible to hold any individual responsible.
VERB: V n adj

III. CONTROLLING OR REMAINING

/hoʊld/

(holds, holding, held)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
If someone holds you in a place, they keep you there as a prisoner and do not allow you to leave.
The inside of a van was as good a place as any to hold a kidnap victim...
Somebody is holding your wife hostage...
Japan had originally demanded the return of two seamen held on spying charges.
VERB: V n, V n n, V-ed
2.
If people such as an army or a violent crowd hold a place, they control it by using force.
Demonstrators have been holding the square since Sunday.
VERB: V n
3.
If you have a hold over someone, you have power or control over them, for example because you know something about them you can use to threaten them or because you are in a position of authority.
He had ordered his officers to keep an exceptionally firm hold over their men...
N-SING: usu N over/on n
4.
If you ask someone to hold, or to hold the line, when you are answering a telephone call, you are asking them to wait for a short time, for example so that you can find the person they want to speak to.
Could you hold the line and I’ll just get my pen...
A telephone operator asked him to hold.
= hold on
VERB: no passive, V n, V
5.
If you hold telephone calls for someone, you do not allow people who phone to speak to that person, but take messages instead.
He tells his secretary to hold his calls.
VERB: V n
6.
If something holds at a particular value or level, or is held there, it is kept at that value or level.
OPEC production is holding at around 21.5 million barrels a day...
The Prime Minister yesterday ruled out Government action to hold down petrol prices...
The final dividend will be held at 20.7p, after an 8 per cent increase.
...provided the pound holds its value against the euro.
VERB: V prep/adv/adj, V n with adv, V n prep/adj, V n
7.
If you hold a sound or musical note, you continue making it.
...a voice which hit and held every note with perfect ease and clarity.
VERB: V n
8.
If you hold something such as a train, a lift, or an elevator, you delay it.
A London Underground spokesman defended the decision to hold the train until police arrived.
VERB: V n
9.
If an offer or invitation still holds, it is still available for you to accept.
Does your offer still hold?
VERB: V
10.
If a good situation holds, it continues and does not get worse or fail.
Our luck couldn’t hold for ever...
Would the weather hold?...
VERB: V, V
11.
If an argument or theory holds, it is true or valid, even after close examination.
Today, most people think that argument no longer holds...
VERB: V

Hold up means the same as hold.
Democrats say arguments against the bill won’t hold up.
PHRASAL VERB: V P
12.
If part of a structure holds, it does not fall or break although there is a lot of force or pressure on it.
How long would the roof hold?
VERB: V
13.
If laws or rules hold, they exist and remain in force.
These laws also hold for universities.
VERB: V
14.
If you hold to a promise or to high standards of behaviour, you keep that promise or continue to behave according to those standards. (FORMAL)
Will the President be able to hold to this commitment?...
= stick to
VERB: V to n
15.
If someone or something holds you to a promise or to high standards of behaviour, they make you keep that promise or those standards.
Don’t hold me to that...
VERB: V n to n

IV. PHRASES

/hoʊld/

(holds, holding, held)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
Please look at category 13 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1.
If you hold forth on a subject, you speak confidently and for a long time about it, especially to a group of people.
Barry was holding forth on politics.
PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR on n
2.
If you get hold of an object or information, you obtain it, usually after some difficulty.
It is hard to get hold of guns in this country.
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n
3.
If you get hold of a fact or a subject, you learn about it and understand it well. (BRIT INFORMAL)
He first had to get hold of some basic facts.
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n
4.
If you get hold of someone, you manage to contact them.
The only electrician we could get hold of was miles away.
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n
5.
If you say ‘Hold it’, you are telling someone to stop what they are doing and to wait.
Hold it! Don’t move!
= stop
CONVENTION
6.
If you put something on hold, you decide not to do it, deal with it, or change it now, but to leave it until later.
He put his retirement on hold until he had found a solution...
PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR
7.
If you hold your own, you are able to resist someone who is attacking or opposing you.
The Frenchman held his own against the challenger.
PHRASE: V inflects
8.
If you can do something well enough to hold your own, you do not appear foolish when you are compared with someone who is generally thought to be very good at it.
She can hold her own against almost any player.
PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR against n
9.
If you hold still, you do not move.
Can’t you hold still for a second?
PHRASE: V inflects
10.
If something takes hold, it gains complete control or influence over a person or thing.
She felt a strange excitement taking hold of her...
PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR of n
11.
If you hold tight, you put your hand round or against something in order to prevent yourself from falling over. A bus driver might say ‘Hold tight!’ to you if you are standing on a bus when it is about to move.
He held tight to the rope...
= hang on
PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR prep
12.
If you hold tight, you do not immediately start a course of action that you have been planning or thinking about.
The unions have circulated their branches, urging members to hold tight until a national deal is struck.
PHRASE: V inflects

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

1hold /ˈhoʊld/ verb holds; held /ˈhɛld/; hold·ing
1 [+ obj]
a : to have or keep (something) in your hand, arms, etc.
Hold the rail so you won't fall.
• He was holding his hat (in his hand).
• He was holding a large package in his arms.
• Would you hold this for me?
• She showed him the correct way to hold the racket.
• She held his hand. = She held him by the hand.
b : to put your arms around (someone) : to embrace or hug (someone)
• Some people just don't like to be held.
• He held her close/tight and kissed her.
2 a [+ obj] : to put or keep (something or someone) in a specified place or position
• He held the pen in his mouth while he dialed the number.
Hold the pen upright when you write.
• She picked up the trophy and held it over her head.
• You have to hold the button down for several seconds.
• I held the door open for her.
Hold your arms at your sides.
b [+ obj] : to keep (something or someone) in the same place or position
• I need someone to hold this string while I finish tying the knot.
• She held the ladder steady while he climbed up it.
• It took six guards to hold him (down).
• The board was held in place/position by a couple of nails.
• The Federal Reserve has been holding interest rates down/up.
• The cover was held on by a piece of tape.
c [no obj] : to remain in the same place or position
• The anchor held.
• The line of soldiers held under constant attack.
• Please hold still for a moment.
• His weight has held steady for several months now.
3 [no obj] : to continue to be good
• We arrived late but our luck held and we were able to get tickets.
• We hope the weather holds through the weekend.
4 [+ obj]
a : to own or possess (something)
• The bank holds (the) title to the car.
• Do you hold any shares/stock in the company?
b : to have or keep (a job, a position, etc.)
• She has never before held public office.
• It's been a struggle for him to hold a job.
• In the last election the Democratic party managed to hold several seats but lost others.
• President Franklin Roosevelt held office for 12 years. = Franklin Roosevelt held the office of president for 12 years.
c : to succeed in keeping (something that is being attacked)
• The troops were able to hold the bridge.
• The line of soldiers held their position/ground and fought off the attack.
d : to have (something that you have achieved or earned)
• She holds a master's degree in chemistry.
• a swimmer who holds several world records
5 [+ obj] : to support the pressure or weight of (something or someone)
• The floor will hold 10 tons.
• I don't know if the roof can hold all that snow.
6 [+ obj]
a : to have or keep (a belief, a feeling, etc.) in your mind
• There's no need for him to hold [=bear] a grudge against me.
• I don't hold any resentment toward/against him.
• a belief held by many = a widely held belief
• I will always hold that memory in my heart.
b somewhat formal : to consider or judge (someone or something) in a specified way
• They hold me responsible.
- often + for
• He should be held accountable for his actions.
• The store can't be held liable for damage to your vehicle.
- often followed by to + verb
• The court held his actions to be grounds for a lawsuit. [=the court said/ruled that his actions were grounds for a lawsuit]
• His latest book is generally/widely held [=considered] to be the best one.
• “We hold these truths to be self-evident…” U.S. Declaration of Independence (1776) -
c not used in progressive tenses somewhat formal : to have or express (an opinion, belief, etc.) - + that
• I hold [=believe] that such problems should be dealt with at the federal level.
• The Supreme Court held [=ruled] that the trial court had acted properly.
- sometimes used figuratively
• Tradition holds that [=it is traditional that] the oldest member of the family be seated first.
7 [+ obj] : to cause (a meeting, class, sale, etc.) to take place
• A sale will be held next weekend.
• Free elections will be held next month.
• We will hold [=have] the meeting at 2 o'clock.
• The President has decided to hold [=give] a press conference.
• They're holding an art show at the gallery.
• The two sides will hold [=have] talks/discussions to resolve the dispute.
8 [+ obj]
a : to contain (something)
• The box holds his collection of old photographs.
b not used in progressive tenses : to have enough room for (an amount)
• The disk can hold 1.44 megabytes of data.
• How much water can that bucket hold?
• The bottle holds two liters.
• The dining room holds 500 people.
9 [+ obj] : to continue to have (someone's interest or attention)
• The speaker wasn't able to hold [=keep] our interest/attention for long.
10 [+ obj] : to have (a specified quality, feature, etc.)
• His eyes held [=had] a quizzical look.
• She has always held a special place in my heart. [=I have always had special feelings for her]
• This hotel has long held [=claimed] a place among the world's finest. [=has long been considered one of the world's finest]
- often + for
• Music holds great appeal for many people. [=music appeals greatly to many people]
• His job holds no surprises for him. [=nothing about his job surprises him]
• Her paintings hold a real fascination for me. [=her paintings fascinate me]
• No one can know what the future holds (for us). [=no one can know what will happen (to us) in the future]
• These experiments hold great promise for future cancer research.
11 [+ obj] : to stop doing (something) or wait to do (something)
• Tell the men to hold their fire [=not shoot] until I give the order.
Hold everything. [=wait; stop] We're not doing this right.
Hold it right there. [=stop right there] Where do you think you're going?
12 [+ obj]
a : to keep (something) available for later use
• A room at the hotel will be held for us for 24 hours.
• We will hold these flight reservations for you until tomorrow.
b : to delay the handling of (something, such as a telephone call) for a time
• Please hold all my calls while I'm in the meeting.
13 [+ obj] : to prevent (something, such as a vehicle) from leaving
• The train was held until the track was cleared.
• Would you hold the elevator for me?
Hold that taxi!
14 [+ obj] chiefly US : to not use or include (something) in preparing food
• I'd like a roast beef sandwich on rye, and hold the mustard please. [=do not put any mustard on the sandwich]
15 [+ obj] : to force (someone) to stay in a place (such as a prison)
• The police are holding him for questioning.
• Terrorists are holding the passengers hostage.
• They're being held hostage/captive/prisoner.
- sometimes used figuratively
• He was held captive by his own fears.
16 [+ obj] : to continue moving on (a course) without change
• The ship continued to hold its course.
17 [+ obj] of a vehicle : to stay on (a road) in a safe and secure way when being driven at high speeds
• The car holds the road well when turning quickly.
18 [no obj] : to be true : to remain valid
• Her advice still holds [=applies] today.
• The general rule holds in most cases.
- often used in the phrases hold true and (less commonly) hold good
• The general rule holds true in most cases.
• Their son needs support and understanding. The same holds true for all children.
• The advice she gave us 10 years ago still holds good today.
19 : to wait to speak to someone on the telephone

[no obj]

• All operators are currently busy. Please hold.

[+ obj]

• All operators are busy. Please hold the line for a minute.
hold a candle to
- see candle
hold against [phrasal verb] hold (something) against (someone) : to use (something) as a reason to have a bad opinion of (someone)
• He lied to her once, and she still holds it against him.
• Nobody is going to hold it against you if you don't come. [=no one is going to be angry or upset with you if you don't come]
hold a gun to someone's head
- see 1gun
hold all the aces
- see 1ace
hold (all/all of) the cards
- see 1card
hold back [phrasal verb]
1 a : to stop yourself from doing something
• She wanted to introduce herself to him but she held back out of shyness.
b : to make a less than complete effort
• She could have beaten him in the race, but she held back and let him win. [=she did not run as fast as she could have so that he would win]
c hold (someone) back : to stop (someone) from doing something
• Once he starts talking, there's no holding him back. [=it's very hard to get him to stop talking]
2 hold (something) back or hold back (something)
a : to not allow (something) to be seen or known by someone
• He was unable to hold back his tears. [=to keep from crying]
• The government held back [=withheld] some crucial information from the media.
• I know you're angry, so don't hold anything back (from me). [=tell me everything]
b : to keep (something)
• He held several thousand dollars back in case of an emergency.
c : to delay (something)
• The company held back the first shipment of the new product until it was completely ready.
3 hold (someone or something) back or hold back (someone or something) : to stop (someone or something) from moving forward : to stop (someone or something) from advancing to the next level, grade, or stage
• She might have been more successful, but bad health held her back.
• He was held back [=kept back] in first grade.
hold court
- see 1court
hold down [phrasal verb]
1 hold (something) down or hold down (something)
a : to stop (something) from being or becoming too high
• Could you please hold the noise down? I'm trying to read.
• The company is trying to hold down costs/expenses/prices.
b : to continue to have (a job)
• It's been a struggle for him to hold down [=keep] a job.
2 hold (someone) down or hold down (someone) : to stop (someone) from doing something or advancing to a higher level, position, etc.
• We need to free ourselves of the unfair restrictions that are holding us down.
hold firm : to refuse to change what you have been doing or believing
• They are holding firm on their refusal to proceed.
• Despite opposition, she has held firm to her decision.
hold forth [phrasal verb] formal : to speak about something for a long time
• He held forth about/on the need for reform in his country.
hold hands or hold someone's hand
- see 1hand
hold in [phrasal verb] hold (something) in or hold in (something) : to stop (an emotion) from being expressed
• Don't hold your feelings in. Let them out.
hold off [phrasal verb]
1 a : to wait to do something
• You need to decide now. You can't hold off any longer.
• He held off as long as he could.
- often + on
• She decided to hold off on her vacation for a while longer.
✦If you hold off doing something or hold off on doing something, you wait to do it at a later time.
• He held off on announcing his decision.
b : to not happen until later
• The rain held off until we got home. [=it didn't rain until we got home]
2 hold (someone) off or hold off (someone) : to stop (someone) from coming near someone or something
• Her bodyguard held off the crowd. [=kept the crowd away from her]
3 hold (something) off or hold off (something) : to defend against (something) successfully : withstand
• The soldiers held off the attack.
• Our team held off a late rally by the other team.
hold on [phrasal verb]
1 : to have or keep your hand, arms, etc., tightly around something
• He was holding on [=hanging on] for dear life.
Hold on (tight). It's going to get bumpy.
• The steps are slippery; you'd better hold on to the railing.
2 : to succeed in keeping a position, condition, etc.
• I hope we can hold on until help arrives.
• They were able to hold on for a 10–9 victory.
3 : to wait or stop briefly
• “Can we go now?” “Hold on, I'll be ready in just a minute.”
4 hold on to (something) : to keep possession of (something)
• She's trying very hard to hold on to her money.
• He has managed to hold on to his lead in the polls. : to not lose or give up (something)
• Despite all his troubles, he has somehow held on to his faith in himself.
hold out [phrasal verb]
1 a : to continue to exist or be available
• I don't know how much longer our supply of food will hold out. [=last]
• You should do it while your courage is still holding out.
• I'm going to keep writing as long as my money holds out.
b : to continue to work
• My old car is still holding out.
2 : to continue to oppose someone or defend against something : to refuse to surrender or give in
• The troops were able to hold out until help arrived.
• Many of the strikers are still holding out.
- see also holdout
3 hold out (something) or hold (something) out
a : to reach outward with (something, such as your hand)
• He held out [=extended] his hand in greeting.
• She held out the car keys and asked him to drive.
- sometimes used figuratively
• I held out the hand of friendship to my enemies. [=I offered friendship to my enemies]
b : to say that there is a good reason to have (something, such as hope)
• The doctor didn't hold out [=offer] much hope for her recovery. [=the doctor didn't say that there was much hope for her recovery]
c : to say that (a possibility) exists
• The mayor has held out the possibility that the library will be expanded in the future. [=has said that it is possible that the library will be expanded]
4 hold out for (something) : to refuse to accept or agree to something in order to get (something)
• The workers are holding out for higher pay.
• The wide receiver is holding out for a new contract.
5 hold out on (someone) informal : to keep something (such as information) from (someone)
• She didn't tell me she was rich; she's been holding out on me.
hold over [phrasal verb]
1 hold over (something) or hold (something) over
a : to cause (something) to happen later
• A vote on the proposal has been held over [=delayed, postponed] until tomorrow.
b US : to cause (something) to continue beyond a normal or planned time
• The movie is being held over for two more weeks. [=the movie will continue to be shown for two more weeks]
2 hold (something or someone) over or hold over (something or someone) : to keep (something or someone) from an earlier time
• He is the only player to have been held over from their previous team.
- see also holdover
3 hold (something) over (someone) : to use your knowledge of (something) to influence or control the behavior of (someone)
• She knows about his criminal past and has been holding it over him [=she has been threatening to tell other people about his criminal past] to force him to cooperate.
hold the bag US or Brit hold the baby informal : to be given all of the blame or responsibility that should be shared with others
• His friends ran away and he was stuck/left holding the bag.
hold the fort
- see fort
hold the line
- see 1line
hold to [phrasal verb]
1 a hold to (something) : to continue to have or follow (a plan, purpose, etc.)
• He has held to his plan of exercising regularly. : to not change (a decision, belief, etc.)
• Despite opposition, she has held to her decision.
b hold (someone) to (something) : to force (someone) to do what is required by (something, such as a promise)
• You made a promise and I'm going to hold you to it.
• He was held to an impossible standard. [=he was required to meet very high expectations]
2 hold (someone) to (something) : to prevent (an opponent) from having or getting more than (a specified number of scores or shots)
• Our team held the other team to just three runs.
• The defense held him to only one shot attempt in the first half.
hold together [phrasal verb]
1 : to stay joined together or in one piece
• The empire held together for many decades.
2 hold (something) together or hold together (something) : to cause (something) to stay joined together or in one piece
• The coach hopes to hold the team together for at least one more season.
• The box was held together by a strong glue.
hold up [phrasal verb]
1 : to continue in the same condition without failing or losing effectiveness or force
• The sales team was holding up well under the stress.
• The nurse came in to see how I was holding up.
• Their music still holds up 20 years later.
2 hold (something) up or hold up (something) : to raise (something)
• He held up his hand.
3 hold up (something or someone) or hold (something or someone) up
a : to delay, stop, or slow the movement, progress, or action of (something or someone) : delay
• Their decision was held up for months.
• A major accident held traffic up for hours.
• She was late for the meeting because she got held up in traffic.
- see also holdup
b : to use a gun to rob (a person, store, etc.)
• Someone held up the gas station.
• He was held up by a masked robber.
- see also holdup
c : to cause (someone or something) to be noticed for a particular reason
• His work has been held up to ridicule. [=his work has been ridiculed]
• Experts have been holding these programs up as examples of government waste.
hold water
- see 1water
hold with [phrasal verb] hold with (something) : to agree with or approve of (something) - usually used in negative statements
• I don't hold with all these newfangled notions!
hold your breath
- see breath
hold your ground
- see 1ground
hold your horses
- see 1horse
hold your liquor
- see liquor
hold your nose
- see 1nose
hold your own : to do well in a difficult situation
• It was a tough interview, but she managed to hold her own.
• She's been holding her own against cancer.
hold your tongue also hold your peace : to keep silent : to not say anything about something
• It was difficult, but he somehow managed to hold his tongue.

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