If you're using a Taylor digital thermometer, the hold button can come in handy for a few different reasons. For one, if you need to step away from the thermometer for any reason, holding the button will keep your current reading on the display so you don't have to start over. Additionally, the hold function can be useful if you want to take multiple readings in quick succession and compare them later. Simply take your first reading, press and hold the button, then take your second reading. When you release the button, both readings will appear on the screen side by side.