What to expect from the Fed announcement. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell speaks during a news conference at the Federal Reserve in Washington, on November 1. The Federal Reserve is to keep something or someone that is important or useful: I held onto the tech shares after the stock market fell because I knew they would recover. You should hold on to her, she's too good to lose to a competitor. (Definition of hold on to/onto sth/sb from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press) C1. Browse. Add to word list. C2. to hold something or someone firmly with your hands or your arms: Hold onto the rope and don't let go. Fewer examples. He tried to get away, but she held onto him tightly. He was finally rescued after holding onto the side of the boat for about 20 minutes. From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English hold on to somebody/something phrasal verb to keep something rather than losing it, selling it, or giving it to someone else The soldiers held on to the bridge for three more days. to keep something. keep I've kept all my grandmother's jewellery. store I've stored all Helen's books in the attic. stash His money was stashed in a cupboard. save I have some really good chocolates that I've been saving for a special occasion. hang onto You should hang onto that picture - it might be worth something. Definition of hold on to. 1. as in have. to keep in one's mind or heart She still holds on to that feeling. Synonyms & Similar Words. Relevance. have. hold. retain. harbor. cherish. hang on to. entertain. nurse. keep. bear. cultivate. maintain. remember. carry. stick (to) cling (to) sustain. foster. support. preserve. hug. treasure. cleave (to) In addition to Tuberville's hold, a half dozen promotions below the four-star rank are still being held up by Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) over "those nominees' stances or actions relating to hold onto - WordReference.com Dictionary of English. hold back, hold down, hold forth, hold in, hold off, hold on, hold out, hold over, hold-up, hold with Etymology: Old English healdan; related to Old Norse halla,haldan,ˈholdableadj. ' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations): to keep something for somebody else or for longer than usual. I'll hold on to your mail for you until you get back. See hold on to in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Definition of hold-on-to phrasal verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. 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. jmDDMbn.