hang on

verb

hung on; hanging on; hangs on

intransitive verb

1
: to keep hold : hold on to something
2
: to persist tenaciously
a cold that hung on all spring
3
Phrases
hang on to
: to hold, grip, or keep tenaciously

Examples of hang on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Team banners hang on the building’s south side, and a new photo op backdrop for sports fans has been installed in the Grand Hall. Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2024 Vintage wallpaper with floral designs still hangs on some of the walls bordering five-foot tall windows that catch the morning sun. Hollace Ava Weiner, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Mar. 2024 And that makes sense: While homeowners are avoiding the market to hang on to their low mortgage rates, first-timers are out there making moves. Michael Kolomatsky, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024 Even better, though, Rabbit Air cleverly designed the A3 to be easily hung on the wall. Brad Moon, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 The Negroni menu draws guests up the ski lift to dine beneath the deer-head trophies hung on the wood walls. Noah Lederman, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2024 Two easy-to-reach handles (one on either side) are a comfortable distance for little arms to hang on to safely. Heather Balogh Rochfort, Parents, 26 Feb. 2024 Scripture says Jesus hung on the cross from noon to 3 p.m., drawing his last breath. Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 21 Feb. 2024 Baseball El Camino Real 6, Chaminade 5: In a wild semifinal game of the Easton tournament, there were two grand slams before El Camino Real (4-0) was able to hang on to advance to Tuesday’s final against Westlake at Birmingham at 6:30 p.m. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hang on.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1719, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hang on was circa 1719

Dictionary Entries Near hang on

Cite this Entry

“Hang on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hang%20on. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hang on

verb
1
: to keep hold or possession especially tightly
hang on or you'll fall
hang on to your money
2
: to continue stubbornly
a cold that hung on all spring

More from Merriam-Webster on hang on

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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