hold on

verb

held on; holding on; holds on

intransitive verb

1

a

: to maintain a condition or position : persist

b

: to maintain a grasp on something : hang on

2

: to await something (such as a telephone connection) desired or requested

broadly : wait

Phrases

hold on to

: to maintain possession of or adherence to

Synonyms

• abide
• bide
• continue
• endure
• hold up
• keep up
• last
• perdure
• persist
• remain
• run on

Examples of hold on in a Sentence

the ancient beliefs still held on in remote mountain villages

hold on a minute—it's not your turn

Recent Examples on the Web

Houdini's funeral was held on Nov. 4, 1926, in Queens, N.Y. —Emily Blackwood, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024

Drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday nights. —Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024

Jarvis, a Washington state native, is being held on a $25,000 bond. —Lauren De Young, The Arizona Republic, 30 Oct. 2024

Since tax professionals may require a different level of service—like obtaining transcripts or asking for a hold on collections activities—the IRS offers a dedicated telephone line for practitioners. —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

hold on

verb

1

: to keep a hold

2

: wait entry 1 sense 1a