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

Maybe the distance has grown, your connection feels shaky and you’re left wondering if there’s still something worth holding on to. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025

Well, hold on a moment – technology should have crushed the price of bread since those days. —Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025

Kansas City scored twice in a four-minute span early in the first half and held on for a 2-0 victory. —Fernando Ramirez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 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