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1. Hold firmly
   - grasp
    
2. Stop and wait, as if awaiting further instructions or developments
   "Hold on a moment!";
   - stop
    
3. Be persistent, refuse to stop
   "he held on to call me every night";
   - persevere, persist, hang in, hang on
    
4. Hold the phone line open
   "Please hold on while I get your folder";
   - hang on, hold the line
    
5. Retain possession of
   - keep

Derived forms: holding on, held on, holds on

See also: hold back, withhold

Type of: await, bear on, break, carry on, continue, expect, have, have got, hold, interrupt, look, preserve, take hold, uphold, wait

Antonym: lose

Encyclopedia: Hold on, We're Going Home