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

Stellas and Bellmers hanging on the walls, Calder mobiles suspended from the ceiling, Giacomettis seemingly everywhere. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Then there is Anunoby, who played at Indiana where basketball nets hang on barns and until Curt Cignetti arrived in Bloomington, football season mostly meant preseason hoops season. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026

Video screens hung on the walls underneath signs for each of its coming attractions. — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

For now, Jones is hanging on — and hoping for stormier days ahead. — Ted Scouten, CBS News, 17 Aug. 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