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

Goodwin has been held on $100,000 bail and her next hearing is set for March 25. —Vivian Kwarm, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2025

Powerball drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday nights. —Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025

The German shorthaired pointer rounded out the top 10, holding on to its position from last year. —Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025

Ukraine's Retreat from Russia’s Kursk Region Ukrainian forces have retreated from Russia's Kursk region, now holding on only to small areas near the border, according to Ukrainian military maps showing its withdrawal from Sudzha, the largest city ever captured by Ukraine on Russian soil. —Katya Soldak, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for hold on

• anton
• argon
• axon
• baronne
• baryon
• baton
• boron
• buisson
• bygone
• capon
• cardon
• chiffon

Kids Definition

hold on

verb

1

: to keep a hold

2

: wait entry 1 sense 1a