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

: hold on sense 2

I'll get the answer if you can hang on.

see also:

hang on to

Examples of hang on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And framed and hung on the door directly outside of the locker room is a life-sized contract sitting roughly eye-level with the players, ranging between six and seven feet tall. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026

Switzerland was favored venue, and the stakes weren’t so high back then; the two countries weren’t at war and the global economy didn’t hang on control of the Strait of Hormuz. —Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026

Starting with Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa, the eyes in the Cowboys war room will be hanging on hoping that the offensive line run starts early and often. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2026

When the Nuggets were hanging on without Jokic, Murray sprang loose for a trademark one-handed floater in the third quarter. —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1719, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for hang on

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

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