Meanings
- gerundparticiplepresentpresent participle and gerund of behold
comparative more beholding · superlative most beholding
- obsoleteObsolete form of beholden.
I was much bound and beholding to the right reverend father.
1551, Thomas More, “(please specify the Internet Archive page)”, in Raphe Robynson [i.e., Ralph Robinson], transl., A Fruteful, and Pleasaunt Worke of the Best State of a Publyque Weale, and of the Newe Yle Called Utopia: […], London: […] [Steven Mierdman for] Abraham Vele, […], →OCLC2 more examples
I thank ye all. To you, my good lord mayor, And your good brethren, I am much beholding; I have received much honour by your presence, And ye shall find me thankful.
1613 (date written), William Shakespeare, [John Fletcher], “The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eight”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene v]So much hath Oxford been beholding to her nephews, or sister's children.
1655, Thomas Fuller, The Church-history of Britain; […], London: […] Iohn Williams […], →OCLC, (please specify |book=I to XI)
plural beholdings
- The act by which something is beheld; regard; contemplation.
a. 1847, Robert Traill, a sermon But this text and theme I am upon, relates to somewhat far higher and greater, than all the beholdings of his glory that ever any saint on earth received.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Cite this entry
beholding. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/beholding
“beholding.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/beholding. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “beholding,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/beholding.
Source: beholding on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.