hold the record

USAGE SUMMARY

"hold the record" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone is responsible for maintaining, keeping, or setting a particular record. For example, "Jennifer holds the record for the longest basketball shot in the league."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Interest

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

I must hold the record.

The Guardian - Music

No, the Clarke brothers don't hold the record, Mr Anonymous.

The Guardian - Sport

Which teams hold the record?" asks Tom Cooper.

The Guardian - Sport

"I'll still hold the record of not having lost a singles match".

The New York Times - Sports

"I just wanted to hold the record for it, even if it's only for one day".

The New York Times - Sports

"I think I still hold the record for making 39 guacamoles in one lunch," he said.

The New York Times

I think I probably hold the record as a running back for getting caught from behind".

The New York Times - Sports

It is no surprise, then, that they hold the record for the longest sandwich ever made.

The Economist

Already they hold the record for major professional sports franchises with 19 straight losing seasons.

The New York Times - Sports

A Chinese sailor is thought to hold the record for survival at sea.

The Guardian

Even so, she may hold the record for a contest that doesn't exist.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about achievements, use "hold the record" to clearly indicate the current record holder. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Do not use "hold the record" when you mean "compete for the record". The phrase indicates current possession of the record, not aspiration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold the record" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating the current possession or maintenance of a record. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hold the record" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that someone or something currently possesses a particular record. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it is frequently used in news, sports, and general contexts. When using this phrase, be sure to use the correct verb form based on the subject (hold vs. holds) and avoid using it when you actually mean "compete for the record". As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is clear and consistently applied, making it a reliable expression to use in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be the record holder

Focuses on the person or entity that currently possesses the record.

top the charts

Implies achieving the highest ranking, particularly in music or sales.

be at the top of the leaderboard

Emphasizes the leading position in a competitive ranking.

set the benchmark

Highlights the establishment of a new standard of excellence.

lead the pack

Suggests being ahead of all competitors or peers.

reign supreme

Conveys a sense of dominance and superiority in a specific domain.

be the undefeated champion

Indicates a sustained history of wins without any losses.

dominate the field

Highlights a strong and overwhelming presence in a given area.

wear the crown

Implies holding a prestigious title or position of authority.

establish a new high

Indicates achieving a record level or performance.

FAQs

How can I use "hold the record" in a sentence?

You can use "hold the record" to indicate that someone or something currently possesses a particular record. For example, "She "holds the record" for the most goals scored in a season".

What's a more formal way to say "hold the record"?

In more formal contexts, you could say "be the record holder" or "possess the current record".

Which is correct, "hold the record" or "holds the record"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "hold the record" with plural subjects (e.g., "They "hold the record""). Use "holds the record" with singular subjects (e.g., "She "holds the record"").

What does it mean to "break the record" after someone "holds the record"?

To "break the record" means to surpass the existing record held by someone. After someone breaks it, the new person then "holds the record".