hold on

verb

held on; holding on; holds on
Synonyms of hold onnext

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

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
All of that production came in the first half, when the offense was rolling and jumped out to a 21-7 lead before holding on in the second half. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026 The wedding was held on the ice rink of Badrutt’s Palace, the most famous hotel in the Swiss mountain town. — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2026 In a city that seems to always chase what’s shiny and new, some of us truly cherish those familiar local restaurants that have held on for years — feeding generations of families. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2026 The presales for the remaining shows are being held on Ticketmaster, and are reported to be unaffected. — Thomas Smith, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hold on

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of hold on was in the 13th century

Rhymes for hold on

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Browse Nearby Words

hold off on
hold on
hold one's breath
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hold on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hold%20on. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hold on

verb
1
: to keep a hold
2
: wait entry 1 sense 1a
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