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

She is seen pointing to the object, which is hung on the wall. — Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Bass, whose first term works against her as much as for her, is still hanging on and hanging in. — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

This includes golden palm trees, a fake elevator, a replica of a check-in desk, a circular sofa and two blue armchairs with a blue painting of a man hanging on the wall. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026

Above a gargantuan television hung on the rear wall, a disco ball levitated inside a regulation-size hoop. — Jane Bua, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 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