be the physical support of; carry the weight of; "The beam holds up the roof"; "He supported me with one hand while I balanced on the beam"; "What's holding that mirror?"
To hold up a person or process means to make them late or delay them. Why were you holding everyone up? Continuing violence could hold up progress towards reform. = delay
resist or confront with resistance; "The politician defied public opinion"; "The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear"; "The bridge held"
If you hold up something such as someone's behaviour, you make it known to other people, so that they can criticize or praise it. He had always been held up as an example to the younger ones
If something such as a type of business holds up in difficult conditions, it stays in a reasonably good state. Children's wear is one area that is holding up well in the recession
If someone holds up a place such as a bank or a shop, they point a weapon at someone there to make them give them money or valuable goods. A thief ran off with hundreds of pounds yesterday after holding up a petrol station. = rob
If an argument or theory holds up, it is true or valid, even after close examination. I'm not sure if the argument holds up, but it's stimulating. = stand up see also hold-up
If one thing holds up another, it is placed under the other thing in order to support it and prevent it from falling. Mills have iron pillars all over the place holding up the roof Her legs wouldn't hold her up
continue to live; endure or last; "We went without water and food for 3 days"; "These superstitions survive in the backwaters of America"; "The racecar driver lived through several very serious accidents"
If you hold up your hand or something you have in your hand, you move it upwards into a particular position and keep it there. She held up her hand stiffly Hold it up so that we can see it