# uphold

Pronunciation: say "up-HOHLD" US /ˌʌpˈhoʊld/, UK /ˌʌpˈhəʊld/

## Verb

1. To support something by approval, confirming that it is valid when it has been questioned or challenged.
   - Simple: To say that a decision, law, or rule is correct and should continue.
   - _The appeals court chose to uphold the original verdict despite the defense's objections._
   - _Her colleagues upheld her account of events when others doubted it._
2. To keep something standing or in place by supporting its weight so that it does not fall.
   - Simple: To hold something up so it stays standing and does not fall.
   - _Massive pillars uphold the ancient temple's roof._
   - _The old wooden frame could no longer uphold the sagging ceiling._
3. To hold something up high, lifting or raising it to an elevated position.
   - Simple: To lift something up high into the air.
   - _The priests uphold the sacred relic before the gathered worshippers._
   - _He upheld the lantern to light the dark passage ahead._

## Origin

From Middle English upholden, equivalent to up- plus hold. It can be compared with Dutch ophouden ('to stop, hold up') and German aufhalten ('to stop, detain'), as well as Middle Low German upholt and Old Norse upphald ('uphold, support').

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/uphold (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).