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

Phrases

hold on to

: to maintain possession of or adherence to

Synonyms

• abide
• bide
• continue
• endure
• hold up
• keep up
• last
• perdure
• persist
• remain
• run on

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

Senior Democrats monthly luncheon and meeting will be held on May 19 at Golden Corral, located at 2605 W. Pleasant Crossing Drive in Rogers. —Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 18 May 2025

That’s because the Big3’s championship weekend — which will include the title game and All-Star game — will be held on UCF’s campus at Addition Financial Arena on Aug. 24, the Sentinel learned Friday. —Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2025

This frame, the tune appears on a trio of lists, holding on within the top 10 on each of them. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025

In the Catholic Conference, Ryan McCarthy (two goals, assist) sparked the team offensively as St. John’s Prep (15-1) held on for a 6-5 victory over rival Xaverian. —Danny Ventura, Boston Herald, 15 May 2025

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