hold on

verb

held on; holding on; holds on

intransitive verb

1

a

: to maintain a condition or position : persist

b

: to maintain a grasp on something : hang on

2

: to await something (such as a telephone connection) desired or requested

broadly : wait

see also:

hold on to

Synonyms of hold on

• remain
• continue
• last

Examples of hold on in a Sentence

the ancient beliefs still held on in remote mountain villages

hold on a minute—it's not your turn

Recent Examples on the Web

Cellphone video shot by a witness, which begins in the middle of the confrontation, shows the man being held on the ground. — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026

With Stifel joining the bulls, there are only two remaining Wall Street firms with holds on Microsoft and no sell recommendations, according to FactSet data; there are 57 buy or buy-equivalent ratings. — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026

There’s no harm in holding on to old photos and other mementos from your bygone days. — Barton Goldsmith, AJC.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Perhaps, with opinion polls signaling a seismic snap in the other direction and economic conditions on the Great Plains so dismal, the Republican hold on rural America is loosening. — Kyle Paoletta, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for hold on

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

Kids Definition

hold on

verb

1

: to keep a hold

2

: wait entry 1 sense 1a