samenhouden

Samenhouden is a Dutch verb meaning to hold together or to maintain cohesion, either among people or among components. It can refer to social or organizational unity as well as to the physical integrity of objects and structures. The term derives from samen, meaning together, and houden, meaning to hold.

In social and organizational contexts, samenhouden describes the processes, norms, and policies that keep a group or community united. This can involve fostering trust, shared values, effective communication, mutual support, and inclusive decision-making. Measures to promote samenhouden aim to prevent fragmentation, resolve conflicts, and sustain cooperation across diverse groups, such as teams within a company, communities facing social challenges, or national societies during periods of change.

In technical or physical contexts, samenhouden refers to the way parts or materials stay connected or hold together under stress. This includes joints, fasteners, adhesives, welds, or other bonding methods that ensure structural integrity. Engineers and designers consider factors such as strength, durability, and load distribution to maintain samenhouden in buildings, machines, vehicles, and other engineered systems.

Etymologically, the word combines samen (together) with houden (to hold), reflecting the core idea of maintaining unity or connection. While the term is versatile, it is most commonly used to describe the sustained cohesion of groups or the reliable joining of physical components in Dutch discourse.