From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishbeholdbe‧hold /bɪˈhəʊld $ -ˈhoʊld/ verb (past tense and past participle beheld) [transitive] literary SEEto see or to look at something – sometimes used humorouslybe a sight/joy/pleasure etc to behold The beauty of the garden was a pleasure to behold. —beholder noun [countable] → lo and behold at lo(2)→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
behold• Nor was it just the execution that attracted them, for the procession itself was a sight to behold.• The New Victory is glorious to behold.• The rich beauty of Audley End is a pleasure to behold.• It is a popular field of collecting, pleasant to behold and with a spice of magic about it.• If he was not horrible to look at, then he was cruel to forbid her ever to behold him.• His face was not a pleasant sight to behold on awakening.• Yesterday the sun shone until everything he beheld revealed its dazzle.be a sight/joy/pleasure etc to behold• And the low cliffs, covered in gum trees, were a pleasure to behold.• From Mount Ampenan, and over the rocky coastline and long golden beaches is a sight to behold.• It was a sight to behold!• Nor was it just the execution that attracted them, for the procession itself was a sight to behold.• The horticultural efforts of individual residents are a joy to behold, and reflect great credit on those concerned.• The rich beauty of Audley End is a pleasure to behold.• The Transit Authority meetings are a sight to behold.• When they were on, they were a sight to behold.Origin behold Old English behealdan “to keep, behold” 