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

Unless, of course, Mas hangs on for Spain’s first victory since 2014. — Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Dylan Smith, who has been used for regular ninth-inning duties, had pitched a night earlier and blew a save, but the Giants hung on to win 5-4 in 11 innings. — ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026

Suzanna Mitchell/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images Dylan Smith, who has been used for regular ninth-inning duties, had pitched a night earlier and blew a save, but the Giants hung on to win 5-4 in 11 innings. — CBS News, 9 Sep. 2026

In the first clip, five white shirts hang on a clothesline before the camera pans to a visibly pregnant Ciara, wearing a white tank top and jeans, her hair in rollers. — Emma Banks, InStyle, 8 Sep. 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