To behold means to see or observe something, especially something impressive or significant. When you behold a magnificent sunset painting the sky in oranges and purples, you're really taking it in, paying full attention to its beauty or importance.

The word has an old-fashioned, somewhat formal feeling. You wouldn't say “I beheld my breakfast this morning,” but you might read in a story that an explorer beheld a hidden waterfall or that astronomers beheld a rare comet. The word suggests that what you're seeing deserves your full attention and maybe even your wonder.

You'll often encounter behold in older books, religious texts, or poetry. In the Bible, angels announcing important news often begin with “Behold!” meaning “Look at this! Pay attention!” It's like saying “Look!” or “See!” but with more gravity and ceremony.

The phrase “lo and behold” means “look and see,” used when something surprising or noteworthy happens. If you've been searching everywhere for your lost library book, you might say: “I looked under my bed, and lo and behold, there it was!”