Dictionary definition · hold out
verb
- thrust or extend out"He held out his hand"
- stand up or offer resistance to somebody or something
- last and be usable"This dress wore well for almost ten years"
- wait uncompromisingly for something desirable"He held out for the dessert and did not touch the cheeses"
- continue to live and avoid dying"We went without water and food for 3 days"
Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).