hinge

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈhinj 

1

a

: a jointed or flexible device on which a door, lid, or other swinging part turns

b

: a flexible ligamentous joint

c

: a small piece of thin gummed paper used in fastening a postage stamp in an album

2

: a determining factor : turning point

Illustration of hinge

• hinge 1a

hinge

2 of 3

verb

hinged; hinging

intransitive verb

1

: to swing on or as if on a hinge

These thoughtful amenities include … an outdoor patio TV that hinges outward toward the pool …

—Paul Takahashi

… we pulled within feet of a 12-foot crocodile, his huge jaw hinging open in warning to reveal a toothy grin.

—Andrea Bartz

2

: to be contingent on a single consideration or point

—used with on or upon

the prosecution's case hinges on the DNA evidence

transitive verb

: to attach by or furnish with hinges

hinge line

3 of 3

noun (2)

variants or less commonly hinge

1

a

: an imaginary line on the earth's surface which can be regarded as a boundary between a stable region and one undergoing upward or downward movement

b

: a line around which one wall of a fault may appear to have rotated with respect to the other wall

2

: the dorsal edge or border of a bivalve shell on which the hinge is situated

Synonyms of hinge

Verb

• depend

Examples of hinge in a Sentence

Verb

the outcome of the game hinged on a single play

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Pay attention to the flush handle, both sides of the seat and lid, the hinges, and the floor around the base. — Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 20 Sep. 2026

Large doors and garden views make the room feel like a hinge between the house and grounds. — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2026

Verb

Miller claims that the new proof hinges heavily on his prior work and that Astra did not give that work adequate attribution. — Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2026

Apple on Wednesday announced its first foldable phone, known as the iPhone Duo, which hinges open like a book into a device about the size of a passport. — Miriam Waldvogel, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English heng; akin to Middle Dutch henge hook, Old English hangian to hang

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1719, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing hinge

• butt hinge
• hinge joint
• hinge on
• piano hinge

Rhymes for hinge

• binge
• cringe
• fringe
• singe
• tinge
• twinge
• impinge
• infringe
• syringe

Kids Definition

hinge

1 of 2 noun

ˈhinj 

1

: a jointed piece on which a door, lid, or other swinging part turns

2

: the joint between valves of a bivalve's shell

hinge

2 of 2 verb

hinged; hinging

1

: to attach by or provide with hinges

2

: to hang or turn as if on a hinge : depend

our success hinges on this decision