# avast

> English word · Interjection · IPA /əˈvɑːst/ · frequency rank #55,930

## Definitions
1. Hold fast!; cease!; stop!
2. In imitation of pirates: listen!; pay attention!

## Etymology
Probably borrowed from Dutch hou vast, houd vast (“hold fast!”), from houd (imperative of houden, “to hold”) + vast (“fast, firm, tight”). Doublet of hold fast.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/avast