Held' The term 'HELD FIRST' can be broken down into two words, 'HELD' and 'FIRST'. The word 'HELD' is a 3 letter word that means to keep or maintain possession of something. The word 'FIRST' means to be the FIRST in a sequence or order. Together, the phrase 'HELD FIRST' can be interpreted as being the FIRST to possess or maintain something. This could refer to a person or group of people who were the FIRST to own or control something, or it could refer to an event or situation where someone was the FIRST to take action.