beholds

Beholds is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb behold. Behold means to see or observe something, especially with attention, interest, or reverence. In everyday modern English, beholds is rarely used; speakers typically use sees or observes instead.

Behold derives from Old English behealdan, from be- plus haldan or helodan, meaning to hold in view. Over time the sense shifted from “to hold in view” to “to perceive or regard.” The simple past tense is beheld, and the present participle is beholding. Beholds therefore appears primarily in archaic or literary contexts today.

Usage notes: beholds is most common in historical, religious, or stylistic writing, where an elevated or biblical tone is desired. It often signals a quotation, translation, or imitation of earlier English. It should be avoided in contemporary formal or technical prose, where modern verbs are preferred.

Examples: “The watcher beheld the vast procession as it moved slowly along the avenue.” “He beheld the sunrise with a quiet reverence.” In most modern writing, these meanings are conveyed with beheld (past) or sees (present). The imperative form behold, as in “Behold!” is used to draw attention in a dramatic or ceremonial way.