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

Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights will be held on 40 select nights starting Sept. 5. Sept. 5-8, 12-15, 19-22, 26-29 Oct. 3-6, 9-13, 16-20, 23-27, 30-31 Nov. 1-3 Six Flags Fright Fest is going extreme:What's new this year How much is Universal Halloween Horror Nights? —Eve Chen, USA TODAY, 27 June 2024

In the Bronx, Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, a longtime incumbent and centrist, held on for another term in his race against challenger Jonathan Soto, an ex-staffer to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who’s been endorsed by her as well as by the DSA. —Michael Gartland, New York Daily News, 26 June 2024

The first debate will be held on Thursday, June 27. —Kinsey Crowley, The Courier-Journal, 26 June 2024

Just hold on the release of the Dudley Moore movie. —Chris Barilla, Peoplemag, 25 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Kids Definition

hold on

verb

1

: to keep a hold

2

: wait entry 1 sense 1a