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

Hopkins got a measure of revenge Thursday with a soaring dunk on 6-foot-10 Oswin Erhunmwunse and hung on the rim to punctuate it. —Cbs New York Team, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026

Give it a spin on clothing, too, since clothes are often notorious for hanging on to pet fur. —Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Mar. 2026

And if history continues to repeat itself, today’s working-age employees will mostly hang on to their jobs. —Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 11 Mar. 2026

Now, with photo labs offering digital files as well as physical prints, many people don't bother collecting them, though most experienced photographers prefer to hang on to them. —ABC News, 11 Mar. 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