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

Monk had been booked into the Santa Rita Jail about a month earlier and had been held on $2,500 bail while facing a misdemeanor charge of threatening a bus driver after an argument over whether Monk should wear a face mask on the bus, court records show. —Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024

Wright holds on and edges Irvine for the last spot in San Clemente. —Todd Boss, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

The next inauguration ceremony will be held on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. —Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024

Residents of the area also hold on to their agricultural roots. —Maritza Dominguez, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 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