behold: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Proficient user)Formal, Literary, Archaic
Quick answer
What does “behold” mean?
To see or observe (a thing, person, or sight) — used especially to call attention to something remarkable.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To see or observe (a thing, person, or sight) — used especially to call attention to something remarkable.
To perceive something, often with a sense of wonder, respect, or attention.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Slightly more common in British literary contexts, but still archaic in both.
Connotations
Formal, literary, biblical, poetic, dramatic.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary spoken English; found in set phrases, religious texts, and classical literature in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “behold” in a Sentence
[imperative] Behold + NP![finite] Subject + behold + NP (object)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “behold” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The climbers beheld a breathtaking panorama from the summit.
- The art critic beheld the painting with profound admiration.
American English
- The tourists beheld the Grand Canyon for the first time.
- He beheld his newborn child with overwhelming joy.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverb form in use.
- N/A
American English
- No standard adverb form in use.
- N/A
adjective
British English
- No standard adjective form in use.
- N/A
American English
- No standard adjective form in use.
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare; may appear in literary analysis or historical texts.
Everyday
Not used, except in the fixed phrase 'Lo and behold!'
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “behold”
- Using it in informal conversation (e.g., 'I beheld a new car yesterday'). Overusing it as a fancy synonym for 'see'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is archaic and formal. It is almost never used in everyday conversation, except in the fixed, slightly humorous phrase 'Lo and behold!'.
Yes, the past tense is 'beheld'. For example, 'He beheld the mountains as the sun rose.'
'Behold' implies looking at something attentively, often with a sense of wonder, reverence, or importance. 'See' is the neutral, everyday term.
It is very frequently used as an imperative ('Behold!') to draw attention dramatically. This is its most iconic usage.
To see or observe (a thing, person, or sight) — used especially to call attention to something remarkable.
Behold is usually formal, literary, archaic in register.
Behold: in British English it is pronounced /bɪˈhəʊld/, and in American English it is pronounced /bɪˈhoʊld/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Lo and behold! (used to present a surprising event)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'BE' + 'HOLD' -> Imagine being asked to hold your gaze on something amazing.
Conceptual Metaphor
SEEING IS KNOWING / APPRECIATING (to behold is to see and understand the significance)
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most natural modern context for the word 'behold'?