Q: Is the usage of “beholden” in terms of being bound by a schedule becoming more common and considered correct?
A: Traditionally, “beholden” has meant obligated or indebted to someone or something, especially for a gift or favor.
Although “beholden” has been used for figurative debts or obligations, standard dictionaries do not recognize its use in the sense of being restricted to or bound by something, such as a schedule.
However, the sense of being bound by a schedule has appeared in some major publications. This use of “beholden” may eventually make its way into standard dictionaries, but it is not currently recognized. Here is the history:
When the verb “behold” appeared in Old English writing as bihaldan, it meant “to hold by, keep, observe, regard, look,” according to the Oxford English Dictionary.
In Middle English, “beholden” became a past participle and later a predicate adjective, meaning obligated or indebted.
Modern usage of “beholden” describes people who are obligated to others for a favor or gift, as well as things that are in figurative debt due to aid or inspiration.
Here are some examples of the yet unrecognized sense of “beholden” meaning restricted to or bound by a schedule:
“He maintains the same workout routine he had in his prime, and he still rises at 4 a.m., restless and beholden to a schedule he no longer has to keep” (Sports Illustrated, April 22, 2009).
“Motown mitigated some of the risk by making Broadway the final stop. It wasn’t beholden to a schedule that would keep it there if things went south” (Forbes, July 31, 2016).
“But anytime they left the city—which they frequently did—traveling was a challenge, as they usually took the train and were beholden to a schedule” (New York Times, Feb. 1, 2018).
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