Illustration of hinge
- hinge 1a
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
hinged; hinging
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
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
Andrea Bartz2
: to be contingent on a single consideration or point
—used with on or upon
the prosecution's case hinges on the DNA evidence
: to attach by or furnish with hinges
Examples of hinge in a Sentence
Verb
the outcome of the game hinged on a single play
Recent Examples on the Web
Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 5 June 2025
Down the road, it may be used to create more practical items like tissue engineering scaffolds, joints and hinges.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 4 June 2025
Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2025
Engage your abs and hinge forward at the hips, making sure your torso is almost parallel to the floor while maintaining a slight bend in your knees.
—Laura Schober, Health, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hinge
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Noun
The main difference between a touch laptop and a 2-in-1 laptop is the 360-degree hinge.
—Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 5 June 2025
Down the road, it may be used to create more practical items like tissue engineering scaffolds, joints and hinges.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 4 June 2025
Verb
Since there are only two speaking roles in the 47-minute piece, the success of the episode hinged greatly on casting.
—Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2025
Engage your abs and hinge forward at the hips, making sure your torso is almost parallel to the floor while maintaining a slight bend in your knees.
—Laura Schober, Health, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hinge
Cite this Entry
“Hinge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hinge. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hinge
1 of 2 noun1
: 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
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