Definition of hang
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a : to fasten to some elevated point without support from below : suspend hang a picture on the wall
b : to suspend by the neck until dead
—often hanged in the past —often used as a mild oathI'll be hanged
c : to fasten so as to allow free motion within given limits upon a point of suspension
hang a door
d : to adjust the hem of (a skirt) so as to hang evenly and at a proper height
2 : to furnish with hanging decorations (such as flags or bunting)
Hang the windows with velvet curtains. a room hung with streamers
3 : to hold or bear in a suspended or inclined manner
hung his head in shame
4 : to apply to a wall
hang wallpaper
5 : to display (pictures) in a gallery
6 baseball : to throw (a pitch, such as a curveball) so that it fails to break properly
7 : to make (a turn) especially while driving
hang a right hung a quick U-turn— Tom Clancy
1a : to remain suspended or fastened to some point above without support from below : dangle
b : to die by being suspended by the neck
—often hanged in the pastHe hanged for his crimes.
c : to be connected as something relevant or related
thereby hangs a tale— William Shakespeare
2 : to hover or remain stationary in the air
clouds hanging low overhead
5 : to fall or droop from a usually tense or taut position
let the reins hang loose on the horse's back Their mouths hung open in disbelief.
6 : depend election hangs on one vote
b : to be burdensome or oppressive
time hangs on his hands
8 : to be uncertain or in suspense
the decision is still hanging
9 : to lean, incline, or jut over or downward
a rocky cliff that hangs overhead
10 : to be in a state of rapt attention
hung on her every word
11 : to fit or fall from the figure in easy lines
the coat hangs loosely
12 informal : to pass time idly or in relaxing or socializing : hang around, hang out hanging with friends hanging at the beach Off the track, Jones was all but invisible in Sydney. She prefers hanging with her husband … and a small inner circle of friends.— Mark Starr I had the chance to hang with Taibbi recently after he spoke to a Denver audience about his new book …— David Sirota
13 of a thrown ball : to fail to break or drop as intended
hang fire hang it up hang loose hang one on hang out to dry hang one's hat hang ten hang tough
1 : to be slow in the explosion of a charge after its primer has been discharged
3 : to remain unsettled or unresolved
The plans had to hang fire until the city council approved them.
: to cease an activity or effort
We all agreed it was time to hang it up.
: to remain calm or relaxed
1 : to inflict a blow on
wanted to hang one on him
2 slang : to get very drunk
: to leave stranded in a hopeless or dangerous situation
The company hung us out to dry.
1 : to situate oneself in a place (such as a residence or place of employment)
looking for a new place to hang my hat
2 hang one's hat on : to have or use (something) as a source of support
need a career to hang my hat on
: to ride a surfboard with the toes of both feet turned over the front edge
: to remain resolute in the face of adversity : hang in
hang
nounDefinition of hang (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : the manner in which a thing is poised when suspended from above without support from below : the way in which a thing hangs (see hang entry 1)
the hang of a skirt
3 : facility with or an understanding of something
can't get the hang of this
4 : a hesitation or slackening in motion or in a course
a marked hang of the oar in the air before it dipped
give a hang or care a hang
: to be the least bit concerned or worried
She doesn't give a hang whether she wins or not.
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Time Traveler for hang
The first known use of hang was before the 12th century
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