diff --git a/boilerplate.py b/boilerplate.py
index 1e7715160be7..5aab3b0af9da 100644
--- a/boilerplate.py
+++ b/boilerplate.py
@@ -50,15 +50,19 @@
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.%(func)s)
 def %(func)s(%(argspec)s):
     %(ax)s = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    %(washold)s = %(ax)s.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    %(washold)s = %(ax)s._hold
 %(sethold)s
     if hold is not None:
-        %(ax)s.hold(hold)
+        %(ax)s._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         %(ret)s = %(ax)s.%(func)s(%(call)s)
     finally:
-        %(ax)s.hold(%(washold)s)
+        %(ax)s._hold = %(washold)s
 %(mappable)s
     return %(ret)s
 """
diff --git a/doc/api/api_changes.rst b/doc/api/api_changes.rst
index a280df72bbc2..357518b8cf36 100644
--- a/doc/api/api_changes.rst
+++ b/doc/api/api_changes.rst
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ Color of Axes
 The ``axisbg`` and ``axis_bgcolor`` properties on ``Axes`` have been
 deprecated in favor of ``facecolor``.
 
-
 GTK and GDK backends deprecated
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 The GDK and GTK backends have been deprecated. These obsolete backends
@@ -41,6 +40,16 @@ CocoaAgg backend removed
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 The deprecated and not fully functional CocoaAgg backend has been removed.
 
+'hold' functionality deprecated
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+The 'hold' keyword argument and all functions and methods related
+to it are deprecated, along with the 'axes.hold' `rcParams` entry.
+The behavior will remain consistent with the default ``hold=True``
+state that has long been in place.  Instead of using a function
+or keyword argument (``hold=False``) to change that behavior,
+explicitly clear the axes or figure as needed prior to subsequent
+plotting commands.
+
 
 `Artist.update` has return value
 --------------------------------
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/__init__.py b/lib/matplotlib/__init__.py
index 7c792bd0c160..f18b6bd337df 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/__init__.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/__init__.py
@@ -870,8 +870,13 @@ def matplotlib_fname():
     }
 
 _obsolete_set = set(['tk.pythoninspect', 'legend.isaxes'])
+
+# The following may use a value of None to suppress the warning.
+_deprecated_set = set(['axes.hold'])  # do NOT include in _all_deprecated
+
 _all_deprecated = set(chain(_deprecated_ignore_map,
-                            _deprecated_map, _obsolete_set))
+                            _deprecated_map,
+                            _obsolete_set))
 
 
 class RcParams(dict):
@@ -887,6 +892,8 @@ class RcParams(dict):
                     six.iteritems(defaultParams)
                     if key not in _all_deprecated)
     msg_depr = "%s is deprecated and replaced with %s; please use the latter."
+    msg_depr_set = ("%s is deprecated. Please remove it from your "
+                    "matplotlibrc and/or style files.")
     msg_depr_ignore = "%s is deprecated and ignored. Use %s"
     msg_obsolete = ("%s is obsolete. Please remove it from your matplotlibrc "
                     "and/or style files.")
@@ -903,6 +910,8 @@ def __setitem__(self, key, val):
                 warnings.warn(self.msg_depr % (key, alt_key))
                 key = alt_key
                 val = alt_val(val)
+            elif key in _deprecated_set and val is not None:
+                warnings.warn(self.msg_depr_set % key)
             elif key in _deprecated_ignore_map:
                 alt = _deprecated_ignore_map[key]
                 warnings.warn(self.msg_depr_ignore % (key, alt))
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/axes/_axes.py b/lib/matplotlib/axes/_axes.py
index 9ca85f8b052c..7becdb4e8baa 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/axes/_axes.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/axes/_axes.py
@@ -1665,7 +1665,7 @@ def acorr(self, x, **kwargs):
 
         x : sequence of scalar
 
-        hold : boolean, optional, default: True
+        hold : boolean, optional, *deprecated*, default: True
 
         detrend : callable, optional, default: `mlab.detrend_none`
             x is detrended by the `detrend` callable. Default is no
@@ -1713,6 +1713,8 @@ def acorr(self, x, **kwargs):
         .. plot:: mpl_examples/pylab_examples/xcorr_demo.py
 
         """
+        if "hold" in kwargs:
+            warnings.warn("the 'hold' kwarg is deprecated", mplDeprecation)
         return self.xcorr(x, x, **kwargs)
 
     @unpack_labeled_data(replace_names=["x", "y"], label_namer="y")
@@ -1730,7 +1732,7 @@ def xcorr(self, x, y, normed=True, detrend=mlab.detrend_none,
 
         y : sequence of scalars of length n
 
-        hold : boolean, optional, default: True
+        hold : boolean, optional, *deprecated*, default: True
 
         detrend : callable, optional, default: `mlab.detrend_none`
             x is detrended by the `detrend` callable. Default is no
@@ -1769,6 +1771,8 @@ def xcorr(self, x, y, normed=True, detrend=mlab.detrend_none,
         The cross correlation is performed with :func:`numpy.correlate` with
         `mode` = 2.
         """
+        if "hold" in kwargs:
+            warnings.warn("the 'hold' kwarg is deprecated", mplDeprecation)
 
         Nx = len(x)
         if Nx != len(y):
@@ -2136,7 +2140,7 @@ def make_iterable(x):
             patches.append(r)
 
         holdstate = self._hold
-        self.hold(True)  # ensure hold is on before plotting errorbars
+        self._hold = True  # ensure hold is on before plotting errorbars
 
         if xerr is not None or yerr is not None:
             if orientation == 'vertical':
@@ -2158,7 +2162,7 @@ def make_iterable(x):
         else:
             errorbar = None
 
-        self.hold(holdstate)  # restore previous hold state
+        self._hold = holdstate  # restore previous hold state
 
         if adjust_xlim:
             xmin, xmax = self.dataLim.intervalx
@@ -2380,7 +2384,7 @@ def stem(self, *args, **kwargs):
         remember_hold = self._hold
         if not self._hold:
             self.cla()
-        self.hold(True)
+        self._hold = True
 
         # Assume there's at least one data array
         y = np.asarray(args[0])
@@ -2464,7 +2468,7 @@ def stem(self, *args, **kwargs):
                               color=basecolor, linestyle=basestyle,
                               marker=basemarker, label="_nolegend_")
 
-        self.hold(remember_hold)
+        self._hold = remember_hold
 
         stem_container = StemContainer((markerline, stemlines, baseline),
                                        label=label)
@@ -3786,7 +3790,7 @@ def dopatch(xs, ys, **kwargs):
             setlabels(datalabels)
 
         # reset hold status
-        self.hold(holdStatus)
+        self._hold = holdStatus
 
         return dict(whiskers=whiskers, caps=caps, boxes=boxes,
                     medians=medians, fliers=fliers, means=means)
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/axes/_base.py b/lib/matplotlib/axes/_base.py
index 95a052461ac4..1e4c3e8d5f40 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/axes/_base.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/axes/_base.py
@@ -540,6 +540,9 @@ def __init__(self, fig, rect,
         self._rasterization_zorder = None
 
         self._hold = rcParams['axes.hold']
+        if self._hold is None:
+            self._hold = True
+
         self._connected = {}  # a dict from events to (id, func)
         self.cla()
         # funcs used to format x and y - fall back on major formatters
@@ -1191,14 +1194,25 @@ def set_color_cycle(self, clist):
         else:
             self.set_prop_cycle('color', clist)
 
+    @cbook.deprecated("2.0")
     def ishold(self):
-        """return the HOLD status of the axes"""
+        """return the HOLD status of the axes
+
+        The `hold` mechanism is deprecated and will be removed in
+        v3.0.
+        """
+
         return self._hold
 
+    @cbook.deprecated("2.0")
     def hold(self, b=None):
         """
         Set the hold state
 
+        The ``hold`` mechanism is deprecated and will be removed in
+        v3.0.  The behavior will remain consistent with the
+        long-time default value of True.
+
         If *hold* is *None* (default), toggle the *hold* state.  Else
         set the *hold* state to boolean value *b*.
 
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/colorbar.py b/lib/matplotlib/colorbar.py
index a7c6c97249fe..a285d2b1a92c 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/colorbar.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/colorbar.py
@@ -501,10 +501,10 @@ def _add_solids(self, X, Y, C):
         # Save, set, and restore hold state to keep pcolor from
         # clearing the axes. Ordinarily this will not be needed,
         # since the axes object should already have hold set.
-        _hold = self.ax.ishold()
-        self.ax.hold(True)
+        _hold = self.ax._hold
+        self.ax._hold = True
         col = self.ax.pcolormesh(*args, **kw)
-        self.ax.hold(_hold)
+        self.ax._hold = _hold
         #self.add_observer(col) # We should observe, not be observed...
 
         if self.solids is not None:
@@ -1262,8 +1262,8 @@ def _add_solids(self, X, Y, C):
         # Save, set, and restore hold state to keep pcolor from
         # clearing the axes. Ordinarily this will not be needed,
         # since the axes object should already have hold set.
-        _hold = self.ax.ishold()
-        self.ax.hold(True)
+        _hold = self.ax._hold
+        self.ax._hold = True
 
         kw = {'alpha': self.alpha, }
 
@@ -1309,7 +1309,7 @@ def _add_solids(self, X, Y, C):
                     linewidths=(0.5 * mpl.rcParams['axes.linewidth'],))
             self.ax.add_collection(self.dividers)
 
-        self.ax.hold(_hold)
+        self.ax._hold = _hold
 
 
 def colorbar_factory(cax, mappable, **kwargs):
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/figure.py b/lib/matplotlib/figure.py
index 6cc3178dd381..030d50263d87 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/figure.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/figure.py
@@ -342,6 +342,9 @@ def __init__(self,
         self.patch.set_aa(False)
 
         self._hold = rcParams['axes.hold']
+        if self._hold is None:
+            self._hold = True
+
         self.canvas = None
         self._suptitle = None
 
@@ -569,6 +572,7 @@ def set_canvas(self, canvas):
         """
         self.canvas = canvas
 
+    @cbook.deprecated("2.0")
     def hold(self, b=None):
         """
         Set the hold state.  If hold is None (default), toggle the
@@ -579,6 +583,8 @@ def hold(self, b=None):
             hold()      # toggle hold
             hold(True)  # hold is on
             hold(False) # hold is off
+
+        All "hold" machinery is deprecated.
         """
         if b is None:
             self._hold = not self._hold
@@ -1591,7 +1597,7 @@ def colorbar(self, mappable, cax=None, ax=None, use_gridspec=True, **kw):
                 cax, kw = cbar.make_axes_gridspec(ax, **kw)
             else:
                 cax, kw = cbar.make_axes(ax, **kw)
-        cax.hold(True)
+        cax._hold = True
         cb = cbar.colorbar_factory(cax, mappable, **kw)
 
         self.sca(current_ax)
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/mpl-data/stylelib/classic.mplstyle b/lib/matplotlib/mpl-data/stylelib/classic.mplstyle
index ba51f408035e..02e08fa7f93e 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/mpl-data/stylelib/classic.mplstyle
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/mpl-data/stylelib/classic.mplstyle
@@ -174,7 +174,6 @@ mathtext.default : it # The default font to use for math.
 # default face and edge color, default tick sizes,
 # default fontsizes for ticklabels, and so on.  See
 # http://matplotlib.org/api/axes_api.html#module-matplotlib.axes
-axes.hold           : True    # whether to clear the axes by default on
 axes.facecolor      : w       # axes background color
 axes.edgecolor      : k       # axes edge color
 axes.linewidth      : 1.0     # edge linewidth
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/pylab.py b/lib/matplotlib/pylab.py
index a3124c212986..df22eefda981 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/pylab.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/pylab.py
@@ -49,14 +49,12 @@
   getp      - get a graphics property
   grid     - set whether gridding is on
   hist     - make a histogram
-  hold     - set the axes hold state
   ioff     - turn interaction mode off
   ion      - turn interaction mode on
   isinteractive - return True if interaction mode is on
   imread   - load image file into array
   imsave   - save array as an image file
   imshow   - plot image data
-  ishold   - return the hold state of the current axes
   legend   - make an axes legend
   locator_params - adjust parameters used in locating axis ticks
   loglog   - a log log plot
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py b/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py
index 6adbe85a1ab5..d9b6a2a309c2 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@
 from matplotlib import _pylab_helpers, interactive
 from matplotlib.cbook import dedent, silent_list, is_string_like, is_numlike
 from matplotlib.cbook import _string_to_bool
+from matplotlib.cbook import deprecated
 from matplotlib import docstring
 from matplotlib.backend_bases import FigureCanvasBase
 from matplotlib.figure import Figure, figaspect
@@ -737,11 +738,8 @@ def suptitle(*args, **kwargs):
     return gcf().suptitle(*args, **kwargs)
 
 
-@docstring.Appender("Addition kwargs: hold = [True|False] overrides default hold state", "\n")
 @docstring.copy_dedent(Figure.figimage)
 def figimage(*args, **kwargs):
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    #sci(ret)  # JDH figimage should not set current image -- it is not mappable, etc
     return gcf().figimage(*args, **kwargs)
 
 
@@ -778,6 +776,11 @@ def figlegend(handles, labels, loc, **kwargs):
 
 ## Figure and Axes hybrid ##
 
+_hold_msg = """Future behavior will be consistent with the long-time
+    default: plot commands add elements without first
+    clearing the Axes and/or Figure."""
+
+@deprecated("2.0", message=_hold_msg)
 def hold(b=None):
     """
     Set the hold state.  If *b* is None (default), toggle the
@@ -787,32 +790,40 @@ def hold(b=None):
       hold(True)  # hold is on
       hold(False) # hold is off
 
-    When *hold* is *True*, subsequent plot commands will be added to
+    When *hold* is *True*, subsequent plot commands will add elements to
     the current axes.  When *hold* is *False*, the current axes and
     figure will be cleared on the next plot command.
+
     """
 
     fig = gcf()
     ax = fig.gca()
 
-    fig.hold(b)
-    ax.hold(b)
+    if b is not None:
+        b = bool(b)
+    fig._hold = b
+    ax._hold = b
 
     # b=None toggles the hold state, so let's get get the current hold
     # state; but should pyplot hold toggle the rc setting - me thinks
     # not
-    b = ax.ishold()
+    b = ax._hold
 
+    # The comment above looks ancient; and probably the line below,
+    # contrary to the comment, is equally ancient.  It will trigger
+    # a second warning, but "Oh, well...".
     rc('axes', hold=b)
 
-
+@deprecated("2.0", message=_hold_msg)
 def ishold():
     """
     Return the hold status of the current axes.
+
     """
-    return gca().ishold()
+    return gca()._hold
 
 
+@deprecated("2.0", message=_hold_msg)
 def over(func, *args, **kwargs):
     """
     Call a function with hold(True).
@@ -822,11 +833,13 @@ def over(func, *args, **kwargs):
       func(*args, **kwargs)
 
     with ``hold(True)`` and then restores the hold state.
+
     """
-    h = ishold()
-    hold(True)
+    ax = gca()
+    h = ax._hold
+    ax._hold = True
     func(*args, **kwargs)
-    hold(h)
+    ax._hold = h
 
 ## Axes ##
 
@@ -2486,24 +2499,29 @@ def getname_val(identifier):
 def _autogen_docstring(base):
     """Autogenerated wrappers will get their docstring from a base function
     with an addendum."""
-    msg = "\n\nAdditional kwargs: hold = [True|False] overrides default hold state"
+    #msg = "\n\nAdditional kwargs: hold = [True|False] overrides default hold state"
+    msg = ''
     addendum = docstring.Appender(msg, '\n\n')
     return lambda func: addendum(docstring.copy_dedent(base)(func))
 
 # This function cannot be generated by boilerplate.py because it may
 # return an image or a line.
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.spy)
-def spy(Z, precision=0, marker=None, markersize=None, aspect='equal', hold=None, **kwargs):
+def spy(Z, precision=0, marker=None, markersize=None, aspect='equal', **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
+    hold = kwargs.pop('hold', None)
     # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.spy(Z, precision, marker, markersize, aspect, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
     if isinstance(ret, cm.ScalarMappable):
         sci(ret)
     return ret
@@ -2523,15 +2541,19 @@ def spy(Z, precision=0, marker=None, markersize=None, aspect='equal', hold=None,
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.acorr)
 def acorr(x, hold=None, data=None, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.acorr(x, data=data, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -2541,16 +2563,20 @@ def acorr(x, hold=None, data=None, **kwargs):
 def angle_spectrum(x, Fs=None, Fc=None, window=None, pad_to=None, sides=None,
                    hold=None, data=None, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.angle_spectrum(x, Fs=Fs, Fc=Fc, window=window, pad_to=pad_to,
                                 sides=sides, data=data, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -2559,15 +2585,19 @@ def angle_spectrum(x, Fs=None, Fc=None, window=None, pad_to=None, sides=None,
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.arrow)
 def arrow(x, y, dx, dy, hold=None, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.arrow(x, y, dx, dy, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -2576,15 +2606,19 @@ def arrow(x, y, dx, dy, hold=None, **kwargs):
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.axhline)
 def axhline(y=0, xmin=0, xmax=1, hold=None, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.axhline(y=y, xmin=xmin, xmax=xmax, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -2593,15 +2627,19 @@ def axhline(y=0, xmin=0, xmax=1, hold=None, **kwargs):
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.axhspan)
 def axhspan(ymin, ymax, xmin=0, xmax=1, hold=None, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.axhspan(ymin, ymax, xmin=xmin, xmax=xmax, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -2610,15 +2648,19 @@ def axhspan(ymin, ymax, xmin=0, xmax=1, hold=None, **kwargs):
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.axvline)
 def axvline(x=0, ymin=0, ymax=1, hold=None, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.axvline(x=x, ymin=ymin, ymax=ymax, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -2627,15 +2669,19 @@ def axvline(x=0, ymin=0, ymax=1, hold=None, **kwargs):
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.axvspan)
 def axvspan(xmin, xmax, ymin=0, ymax=1, hold=None, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.axvspan(xmin, xmax, ymin=ymin, ymax=ymax, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -2644,16 +2690,20 @@ def axvspan(xmin, xmax, ymin=0, ymax=1, hold=None, **kwargs):
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.bar)
 def bar(left, height, width=0.8, bottom=None, hold=None, data=None, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.bar(left, height, width=width, bottom=bottom, data=data,
                      **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -2662,15 +2712,19 @@ def bar(left, height, width=0.8, bottom=None, hold=None, data=None, **kwargs):
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.barh)
 def barh(bottom, width, height=0.8, left=None, hold=None, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.barh(bottom, width, height=height, left=left, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -2679,15 +2733,19 @@ def barh(bottom, width, height=0.8, left=None, hold=None, **kwargs):
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.broken_barh)
 def broken_barh(xranges, yrange, hold=None, data=None, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.broken_barh(xranges, yrange, data=data, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -2702,11 +2760,15 @@ def boxplot(x, notch=None, sym=None, vert=None, whis=None, positions=None,
             whiskerprops=None, manage_xticks=True, autorange=False, zorder=None,
             hold=None, data=None):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.boxplot(x, notch=notch, sym=sym, vert=vert, whis=whis,
                          positions=positions, widths=widths,
@@ -2722,7 +2784,7 @@ def boxplot(x, notch=None, sym=None, vert=None, whis=None, positions=None,
                          manage_xticks=manage_xticks, autorange=autorange,
                          zorder=zorder, data=data)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -2733,18 +2795,22 @@ def cohere(x, y, NFFT=256, Fs=2, Fc=0, detrend=mlab.detrend_none,
            window=mlab.window_hanning, noverlap=0, pad_to=None, sides='default',
            scale_by_freq=None, hold=None, data=None, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.cohere(x, y, NFFT=NFFT, Fs=Fs, Fc=Fc, detrend=detrend,
                         window=window, noverlap=noverlap, pad_to=pad_to,
                         sides=sides, scale_by_freq=scale_by_freq, data=data,
                         **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -2753,15 +2819,19 @@ def cohere(x, y, NFFT=256, Fs=2, Fc=0, detrend=mlab.detrend_none,
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.clabel)
 def clabel(CS, *args, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
     hold = kwargs.pop('hold', None)
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.clabel(CS, *args, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -2770,15 +2840,19 @@ def clabel(CS, *args, **kwargs):
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.contour)
 def contour(*args, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
     hold = kwargs.pop('hold', None)
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.contour(*args, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
     if ret._A is not None: sci(ret)
     return ret
 
@@ -2787,15 +2861,19 @@ def contour(*args, **kwargs):
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.contourf)
 def contourf(*args, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
     hold = kwargs.pop('hold', None)
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.contourf(*args, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
     if ret._A is not None: sci(ret)
     return ret
 
@@ -2806,18 +2884,22 @@ def csd(x, y, NFFT=None, Fs=None, Fc=None, detrend=None, window=None,
         noverlap=None, pad_to=None, sides=None, scale_by_freq=None,
         return_line=None, hold=None, data=None, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.csd(x, y, NFFT=NFFT, Fs=Fs, Fc=Fc, detrend=detrend,
                      window=window, noverlap=noverlap, pad_to=pad_to,
                      sides=sides, scale_by_freq=scale_by_freq,
                      return_line=return_line, data=data, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -2829,11 +2911,15 @@ def errorbar(x, y, yerr=None, xerr=None, fmt='', ecolor=None, elinewidth=None,
              xlolims=False, xuplims=False, errorevery=1, capthick=None,
              hold=None, data=None, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.errorbar(x, y, yerr=yerr, xerr=xerr, fmt=fmt, ecolor=ecolor,
                           elinewidth=elinewidth, capsize=capsize,
@@ -2842,7 +2928,7 @@ def errorbar(x, y, yerr=None, xerr=None, fmt='', ecolor=None, elinewidth=None,
                           errorevery=errorevery, capthick=capthick, data=data,
                           **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -2853,18 +2939,22 @@ def eventplot(positions, orientation='horizontal', lineoffsets=1, linelengths=1,
               linewidths=None, colors=None, linestyles='solid', hold=None,
               data=None, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.eventplot(positions, orientation=orientation,
                            lineoffsets=lineoffsets, linelengths=linelengths,
                            linewidths=linewidths, colors=colors,
                            linestyles=linestyles, data=data, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -2873,15 +2963,19 @@ def eventplot(positions, orientation='horizontal', lineoffsets=1, linelengths=1,
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.fill)
 def fill(*args, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
     hold = kwargs.pop('hold', None)
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.fill(*args, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -2891,17 +2985,21 @@ def fill(*args, **kwargs):
 def fill_between(x, y1, y2=0, where=None, interpolate=False, step=None,
                  hold=None, data=None, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.fill_between(x, y1, y2=y2, where=where,
                               interpolate=interpolate, step=step, data=data,
                               **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -2911,16 +3009,20 @@ def fill_between(x, y1, y2=0, where=None, interpolate=False, step=None,
 def fill_betweenx(y, x1, x2=0, where=None, step=None, hold=None, data=None,
                   **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.fill_betweenx(y, x1, x2=x2, where=where, step=step, data=data,
                                **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -2933,11 +3035,15 @@ def hexbin(x, y, C=None, gridsize=100, bins=None, xscale='linear',
            reduce_C_function=np.mean, mincnt=None, marginals=False, hold=None,
            data=None, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.hexbin(x, y, C=C, gridsize=gridsize, bins=bins, xscale=xscale,
                         yscale=yscale, extent=extent, cmap=cmap, norm=norm,
@@ -2946,7 +3052,7 @@ def hexbin(x, y, C=None, gridsize=100, bins=None, xscale='linear',
                         reduce_C_function=reduce_C_function, mincnt=mincnt,
                         marginals=marginals, data=data, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
     sci(ret)
     return ret
 
@@ -2958,11 +3064,15 @@ def hist(x, bins=None, range=None, normed=False, weights=None, cumulative=False,
          rwidth=None, log=False, color=None, label=None, stacked=False,
          hold=None, data=None, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.hist(x, bins=bins, range=range, normed=normed,
                       weights=weights, cumulative=cumulative, bottom=bottom,
@@ -2970,7 +3080,7 @@ def hist(x, bins=None, range=None, normed=False, weights=None, cumulative=False,
                       rwidth=rwidth, log=log, color=color, label=label,
                       stacked=stacked, data=data, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -2980,17 +3090,21 @@ def hist(x, bins=None, range=None, normed=False, weights=None, cumulative=False,
 def hist2d(x, y, bins=10, range=None, normed=False, weights=None, cmin=None,
            cmax=None, hold=None, data=None, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.hist2d(x, y, bins=bins, range=range, normed=normed,
                         weights=weights, cmin=cmin, cmax=cmax, data=data,
                         **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
     sci(ret[-1])
     return ret
 
@@ -3000,16 +3114,20 @@ def hist2d(x, y, bins=10, range=None, normed=False, weights=None, cmin=None,
 def hlines(y, xmin, xmax, colors='k', linestyles='solid', label='', hold=None,
            data=None, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.hlines(y, xmin, xmax, colors=colors, linestyles=linestyles,
                         label=label, data=data, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -3021,11 +3139,15 @@ def imshow(X, cmap=None, norm=None, aspect=None, interpolation=None, alpha=None,
            filternorm=1, filterrad=4.0, imlim=None, resample=None, url=None,
            hold=None, data=None, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.imshow(X, cmap=cmap, norm=norm, aspect=aspect,
                         interpolation=interpolation, alpha=alpha, vmin=vmin,
@@ -3034,7 +3156,7 @@ def imshow(X, cmap=None, norm=None, aspect=None, interpolation=None, alpha=None,
                         imlim=imlim, resample=resample, url=url, data=data,
                         **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
     sci(ret)
     return ret
 
@@ -3043,15 +3165,19 @@ def imshow(X, cmap=None, norm=None, aspect=None, interpolation=None, alpha=None,
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.loglog)
 def loglog(*args, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
     hold = kwargs.pop('hold', None)
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.loglog(*args, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -3061,17 +3187,21 @@ def loglog(*args, **kwargs):
 def magnitude_spectrum(x, Fs=None, Fc=None, window=None, pad_to=None,
                        sides=None, scale=None, hold=None, data=None, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.magnitude_spectrum(x, Fs=Fs, Fc=Fc, window=window,
                                     pad_to=pad_to, sides=sides, scale=scale,
                                     data=data, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -3080,15 +3210,19 @@ def magnitude_spectrum(x, Fs=None, Fc=None, window=None, pad_to=None,
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.pcolor)
 def pcolor(*args, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
     hold = kwargs.pop('hold', None)
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.pcolor(*args, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
     sci(ret)
     return ret
 
@@ -3097,15 +3231,19 @@ def pcolor(*args, **kwargs):
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.pcolormesh)
 def pcolormesh(*args, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
     hold = kwargs.pop('hold', None)
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.pcolormesh(*args, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
     sci(ret)
     return ret
 
@@ -3115,16 +3253,20 @@ def pcolormesh(*args, **kwargs):
 def phase_spectrum(x, Fs=None, Fc=None, window=None, pad_to=None, sides=None,
                    hold=None, data=None, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.phase_spectrum(x, Fs=Fs, Fc=Fc, window=window, pad_to=pad_to,
                                 sides=sides, data=data, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -3136,11 +3278,15 @@ def pie(x, explode=None, labels=None, colors=None, autopct=None,
         radius=None, counterclock=True, wedgeprops=None, textprops=None,
         center=(0, 0), frame=False, hold=None, data=None):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.pie(x, explode=explode, labels=labels, colors=colors,
                      autopct=autopct, pctdistance=pctdistance, shadow=shadow,
@@ -3149,7 +3295,7 @@ def pie(x, explode=None, labels=None, colors=None, autopct=None,
                      wedgeprops=wedgeprops, textprops=textprops, center=center,
                      frame=frame, data=data)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -3158,15 +3304,19 @@ def pie(x, explode=None, labels=None, colors=None, autopct=None,
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.plot)
 def plot(*args, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
     hold = kwargs.pop('hold', None)
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.plot(*args, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -3176,16 +3326,20 @@ def plot(*args, **kwargs):
 def plot_date(x, y, fmt='o', tz=None, xdate=True, ydate=False, hold=None,
               data=None, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.plot_date(x, y, fmt=fmt, tz=tz, xdate=xdate, ydate=ydate,
                            data=data, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -3196,18 +3350,22 @@ def psd(x, NFFT=None, Fs=None, Fc=None, detrend=None, window=None,
         noverlap=None, pad_to=None, sides=None, scale_by_freq=None,
         return_line=None, hold=None, data=None, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.psd(x, NFFT=NFFT, Fs=Fs, Fc=Fc, detrend=detrend,
                      window=window, noverlap=noverlap, pad_to=pad_to,
                      sides=sides, scale_by_freq=scale_by_freq,
                      return_line=return_line, data=data, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -3216,15 +3374,19 @@ def psd(x, NFFT=None, Fs=None, Fc=None, detrend=None, window=None,
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.quiver)
 def quiver(*args, **kw):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
     hold = kw.pop('hold', None)
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.quiver(*args, **kw)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
     sci(ret)
     return ret
 
@@ -3233,15 +3395,19 @@ def quiver(*args, **kw):
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.quiverkey)
 def quiverkey(*args, **kw):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
     hold = kw.pop('hold', None)
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.quiverkey(*args, **kw)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -3252,18 +3418,22 @@ def scatter(x, y, s=None, c=None, marker=None, cmap=None, norm=None, vmin=None,
             vmax=None, alpha=None, linewidths=None, verts=None, edgecolors=None,
             hold=None, data=None, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.scatter(x, y, s=s, c=c, marker=marker, cmap=cmap, norm=norm,
                          vmin=vmin, vmax=vmax, alpha=alpha,
                          linewidths=linewidths, verts=verts,
                          edgecolors=edgecolors, data=data, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
     sci(ret)
     return ret
 
@@ -3272,15 +3442,19 @@ def scatter(x, y, s=None, c=None, marker=None, cmap=None, norm=None, vmin=None,
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.semilogx)
 def semilogx(*args, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
     hold = kwargs.pop('hold', None)
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.semilogx(*args, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -3289,15 +3463,19 @@ def semilogx(*args, **kwargs):
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.semilogy)
 def semilogy(*args, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
     hold = kwargs.pop('hold', None)
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.semilogy(*args, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -3309,11 +3487,15 @@ def specgram(x, NFFT=None, Fs=None, Fc=None, detrend=None, window=None,
              scale_by_freq=None, mode=None, scale=None, vmin=None, vmax=None,
              hold=None, data=None, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.specgram(x, NFFT=NFFT, Fs=Fs, Fc=Fc, detrend=detrend,
                           window=window, noverlap=noverlap, cmap=cmap,
@@ -3321,7 +3503,7 @@ def specgram(x, NFFT=None, Fs=None, Fc=None, detrend=None, window=None,
                           scale_by_freq=scale_by_freq, mode=mode, scale=scale,
                           vmin=vmin, vmax=vmax, data=data, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
     sci(ret[-1])
     return ret
 
@@ -3330,15 +3512,19 @@ def specgram(x, NFFT=None, Fs=None, Fc=None, detrend=None, window=None,
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.stackplot)
 def stackplot(x, *args, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
     hold = kwargs.pop('hold', None)
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.stackplot(x, *args, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -3347,15 +3533,19 @@ def stackplot(x, *args, **kwargs):
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.stem)
 def stem(*args, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
     hold = kwargs.pop('hold', None)
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.stem(*args, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -3364,15 +3554,19 @@ def stem(*args, **kwargs):
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.step)
 def step(x, y, *args, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
     hold = kwargs.pop('hold', None)
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.step(x, y, *args, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -3384,11 +3578,15 @@ def streamplot(x, y, u, v, density=1, linewidth=None, color=None, cmap=None,
                transform=None, zorder=None, start_points=None, hold=None,
                data=None):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.streamplot(x, y, u, v, density=density, linewidth=linewidth,
                             color=color, cmap=cmap, norm=norm,
@@ -3396,7 +3594,7 @@ def streamplot(x, y, u, v, density=1, linewidth=None, color=None, cmap=None,
                             minlength=minlength, transform=transform,
                             zorder=zorder, start_points=start_points, data=data)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
     sci(ret.lines)
     return ret
 
@@ -3405,15 +3603,19 @@ def streamplot(x, y, u, v, density=1, linewidth=None, color=None, cmap=None,
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.tricontour)
 def tricontour(*args, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
     hold = kwargs.pop('hold', None)
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.tricontour(*args, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
     if ret._A is not None: sci(ret)
     return ret
 
@@ -3422,15 +3624,19 @@ def tricontour(*args, **kwargs):
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.tricontourf)
 def tricontourf(*args, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
     hold = kwargs.pop('hold', None)
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.tricontourf(*args, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
     if ret._A is not None: sci(ret)
     return ret
 
@@ -3439,15 +3645,19 @@ def tricontourf(*args, **kwargs):
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.tripcolor)
 def tripcolor(*args, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
     hold = kwargs.pop('hold', None)
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.tripcolor(*args, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
     sci(ret)
     return ret
 
@@ -3456,15 +3666,19 @@ def tripcolor(*args, **kwargs):
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.triplot)
 def triplot(*args, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
     hold = kwargs.pop('hold', None)
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.triplot(*args, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -3475,18 +3689,22 @@ def violinplot(dataset, positions=None, vert=True, widths=0.5, showmeans=False,
                showextrema=True, showmedians=False, points=100, bw_method=None,
                hold=None, data=None):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.violinplot(dataset, positions=positions, vert=vert,
                             widths=widths, showmeans=showmeans,
                             showextrema=showextrema, showmedians=showmedians,
                             points=points, bw_method=bw_method, data=data)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -3496,16 +3714,20 @@ def violinplot(dataset, positions=None, vert=True, widths=0.5, showmeans=False,
 def vlines(x, ymin, ymax, colors='k', linestyles='solid', label='', hold=None,
            data=None, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.vlines(x, ymin, ymax, colors=colors, linestyles=linestyles,
                         label=label, data=data, **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -3515,17 +3737,21 @@ def vlines(x, ymin, ymax, colors='k', linestyles='solid', label='', hold=None,
 def xcorr(x, y, normed=True, detrend=mlab.detrend_none, usevlines=True,
           maxlags=10, hold=None, data=None, **kwargs):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
 
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.xcorr(x, y, normed=normed, detrend=detrend,
                        usevlines=usevlines, maxlags=maxlags, data=data,
                        **kwargs)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
@@ -3534,15 +3760,19 @@ def xcorr(x, y, normed=True, detrend=mlab.detrend_none, usevlines=True,
 @_autogen_docstring(Axes.barbs)
 def barbs(*args, **kw):
     ax = gca()
-    # allow callers to override the hold state by passing hold=True|False
-    washold = ax.ishold()
+    # Deprecated: allow callers to override the hold state
+    # by passing hold=True|False
+    washold = ax._hold
     hold = kw.pop('hold', None)
     if hold is not None:
-        ax.hold(hold)
+        ax._hold = hold
+        from matplotlib.cbook import mplDeprecation
+        warnings.warn("The 'hold' keyword argument is deprecated since 2.0.",
+                      mplDeprecation)
     try:
         ret = ax.barbs(*args, **kw)
     finally:
-        ax.hold(washold)
+        ax._hold = washold
 
     return ret
 
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/rcsetup.py b/lib/matplotlib/rcsetup.py
index c338873723c9..517b370c347f 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/rcsetup.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/rcsetup.py
@@ -145,6 +145,14 @@ def validate_bool_maybe_none(b):
         raise ValueError('Could not convert "%s" to boolean' % b)
 
 
+def deprecate_axes_hold(value):
+    if value is None:
+        return None  # converted to True where accessed in figure.py,
+                     # axes/_base.py
+    warnings.warn("axes.hold is deprecated, will be removed in 3.0")
+    return validate_bool(value)
+
+
 def validate_float(s):
     """convert s to float or raise"""
     try:
@@ -1053,7 +1061,7 @@ def validate_animation_writer_path(p):
 
     # axes props
     'axes.axisbelow':        ['line', validate_axisbelow],
-    'axes.hold':             [True, validate_bool],
+    'axes.hold':             [None, deprecate_axes_hold],
     'axes.facecolor':        ['w', validate_color],  # background color; white
     'axes.edgecolor':        ['k', validate_color],  # edge color; black
     'axes.linewidth':        [0.8, validate_float],  # edge linewidth
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_axes.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_axes.py
index 58c57448daac..2e70be4e7995 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_axes.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_axes.py
@@ -3205,10 +3205,6 @@ def test_specgram_angle_freqs():
     ax12 = fig1.add_subplot(3, 1, 2)
     ax13 = fig1.add_subplot(3, 1, 3)
 
-    ax11.hold(True)
-    ax12.hold(True)
-    ax13.hold(True)
-
     spec11 = ax11.specgram(y, NFFT=NFFT, Fs=Fs, noverlap=noverlap,
                            pad_to=pad_to, sides='default', mode='angle')
     spec12 = ax12.specgram(y, NFFT=NFFT, Fs=Fs, noverlap=noverlap,
@@ -3253,10 +3249,6 @@ def test_specgram_noise_angle():
     ax12 = fig1.add_subplot(3, 1, 2)
     ax13 = fig1.add_subplot(3, 1, 3)
 
-    ax11.hold(True)
-    ax12.hold(True)
-    ax13.hold(True)
-
     spec11 = ax11.specgram(y, NFFT=NFFT, Fs=Fs, noverlap=noverlap,
                            pad_to=pad_to, sides='default', mode='angle')
     spec12 = ax12.specgram(y, NFFT=NFFT, Fs=Fs, noverlap=noverlap,
@@ -3309,10 +3301,6 @@ def test_specgram_freqs_phase():
     ax12 = fig1.add_subplot(3, 1, 2)
     ax13 = fig1.add_subplot(3, 1, 3)
 
-    ax11.hold(True)
-    ax12.hold(True)
-    ax13.hold(True)
-
     spec11 = ax11.specgram(y, NFFT=NFFT, Fs=Fs, noverlap=noverlap,
                            pad_to=pad_to, sides='default', mode='phase')
     spec12 = ax12.specgram(y, NFFT=NFFT, Fs=Fs, noverlap=noverlap,
@@ -3357,10 +3345,6 @@ def test_specgram_noise_phase():
     ax12 = fig1.add_subplot(3, 1, 2)
     ax13 = fig1.add_subplot(3, 1, 3)
 
-    ax11.hold(True)
-    ax12.hold(True)
-    ax13.hold(True)
-
     spec11 = ax11.specgram(y, NFFT=NFFT, Fs=Fs, noverlap=noverlap,
                            pad_to=pad_to, sides='default',
                            mode='phase', )
diff --git a/lib/mpl_toolkits/axes_grid1/axes_grid.py b/lib/mpl_toolkits/axes_grid1/axes_grid.py
index b331ec0d0062..b8cc8c4fbc9a 100644
--- a/lib/mpl_toolkits/axes_grid1/axes_grid.py
+++ b/lib/mpl_toolkits/axes_grid1/axes_grid.py
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ def colorbar(self, mappable, **kwargs):
             else:
                 kwargs["ticks"] = locator
 
-        self.hold(True)
+        self._hold = True
         if self.orientation in ["top", "bottom"]:
             orientation = "horizontal"
         else:
diff --git a/lib/mpl_toolkits/axes_grid1/colorbar.py b/lib/mpl_toolkits/axes_grid1/colorbar.py
index 064e25c84559..4f4991a8fe55 100644
--- a/lib/mpl_toolkits/axes_grid1/colorbar.py
+++ b/lib/mpl_toolkits/axes_grid1/colorbar.py
@@ -820,7 +820,7 @@ def colorbar(mappable, cax=None, ax=None, **kw):
         ax = plt.gca()
     if cax is None:
         cax, kw = make_axes(ax, **kw)
-    cax.hold(True)
+    cax._hold = True
     cb = Colorbar(cax, mappable, **kw)
 
     def on_changed(m):
diff --git a/matplotlibrc.template b/matplotlibrc.template
index 790a2b9f80ce..7c7115625010 100644
--- a/matplotlibrc.template
+++ b/matplotlibrc.template
@@ -292,7 +292,6 @@ backend      : $TEMPLATE_BACKEND
 # default face and edge color, default tick sizes,
 # default fontsizes for ticklabels, and so on.  See
 # http://matplotlib.org/api/axes_api.html#module-matplotlib.axes
-#axes.hold           : True    # whether to clear the axes by default on
 #axes.facecolor      : white   # axes background color
 #axes.edgecolor      : black   # axes edge color
 #axes.linewidth      : 0.8     # edge linewidth