hang

verb

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\ ˈhaŋ

hung\ ˈhəŋ

\ also hanged\ ˈhaŋd

\; hanging\ ˈhaŋ-iŋ

Definition of hang

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

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

8 : base, found something to hang our hopes on

intransitive verb

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

3 : linger, persist The thought hung in her mind for days.

4 : to be imminent : impend doom hung over the nation

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

7a(1) : to take hold for support : cling she hung on his arm

(2) : to keep persistent contact dogs hung to the trail

(3) : to maintain or continue holding a position hang behind

(4) : to stay even : keep up —usually used with withtrying to hang with the leader

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

1 : to be slow in the explosion of a charge after its primer has been discharged

2 : delay, hesitate

3 : to remain unsettled or unresolved The plans had to hang fire until the city council approved them.

hang it up

: to cease an activity or effort We all agreed it was time to hang it up.

hang loose

: to remain calm or relaxed

hang one on

1 : to inflict a blow on wanted to hang one on him

2 slang : to get very drunk

hang out to dry

: to leave stranded in a hopeless or dangerous situation The company hung us out to dry.

hang one's hat

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

hang ten

: to ride a surfboard with the toes of both feet turned over the front edge

hang tough

: to remain resolute in the face of adversity : hang in

hang

noun

Definition 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

2 : declivity, slope also : droop the hang of his lower lip

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.

Other Words from hang Synonyms & Antonyms Hanged vs. Hung: Usage Guide More Example Sentences Learn More about hang

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Hanged vs. Hung: Usage Guide

Verb

For both transitive and intransitive senses 1b the past and past participle hung, as well as hanged, is standard. Hanged is most appropriate for official executions he was to be hanged, cut down whilst still alive … and his bowels torn out — Louis Allen but hung is also used. gave orders that she should be hung — Peter Quennell Hung is more appropriate for less formal hangings. by morning I'll be hung in effigy — Ronald Reagan

Examples of hang in a Sentence

Verb He hung the painting on the wall. We hung paper lanterns from the trees. My grandmother used to hang the wash on a clothesline. A photograph of her family hangs on the wall. Several of her paintings are hanging in the Museum of Modern Art. Your coat is hanging in the closet. They plan to hang wallpaper in the hallway. He let his arm hang down into the water. They will hang him in the county jailhouse. He was hanged for his crimes. Noun the hang of a skirt anyone foolish enough to ski that hang would end up with a broken neck

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Troy Hill couldn't hang onto a potential interception in the end zone that would have prevented the Packers from adding a field goal just before halftime. — Steve Megargee, Star Tribune, "Rams' defense struggles with injury hindering Donald," 16 Jan. 2021 Not everyone can hang with both the boom-bap stuff and the trappy stuff. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, "Freddie Gibbs Made His Own Lane," 13 Jan. 2021 Howard University will not hang congratulatory banners or send students to the U.S. Capitol to watch alumna Kamala D. Harris be sworn in as vice president on Wednesday. — Washington Post, "Howard University rallied around Kamala Harris. Now the community will watch her take office as vice president.," 13 Jan. 2021 If space is tight, hang one on the wall or behind a door. — Stefani Sassos, Ms, Rdn, Cso, Good Housekeeping, "The Ultimate Guide to Home Fitness," 13 Jan. 2021 In the second room hang her masterpieces: two huge canvases of Judith, another biblical heroine, sawing off the head of Holofernes, having been sent to seduce and kill him. — Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, "Isn’t She Good—For a Woman?," 10 Jan. 2021 The Tigers will hang their upset hopes on running back Tank Bigsby and a running game that could give Northwestern trouble. — Charles Hollis, al, "For Auburn, Citrus is an audition for new coach Brian Harsin," 31 Dec. 2020 Elsewhere, those in search of an unusual coffee break can also hang with water lizards in Vietnam, prairie dogs in Thailand and African grey parrots in South Korea. — Danielle Beurteaux, Scientific American, "Exotic Animal Cafés Featuring Otters, Lizards and Owls Raise Alarms," 30 Dec. 2020 The pandemic will hang over the season for the foreseeable future, but there are plenty of intriguing story lines to follow on the court. — Matt Eppers, USA TODAY, "NBA opening night: Everything to know for Nets vs. Warriors and Lakers vs. Clippers," 23 Dec. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The cliffs at Fort Funston, a former harbor defense installation in San Francisco, are a popular spot for hikers and hang-gliders, the Mercury News reported. — Fox News, "Vehicle plunges off San Francisco cliff, driver 'miraculously' survives: fire department," 28 Dec. 2020 Framed photos of her husband and decades of press clippings praising his cakes hang from the tiny bakery’s bright orange walls. — Gaby Scelzo, Bon Appétit, "Forget Fancy Frosting or Fondant, I Just Want Lloyd’s Carrot Cake," 3 Dec. 2020 To make in a 9-by-13-inch pan, grease the pan with nonstick spray and line with parchment paper, letting enough excess hang over the edges to form a sling for removing the cake later. — Washington Post, "This apple and pear cake recipe was a family mystery, until I cracked its delicious code," 16 Dec. 2020 Alexander’s motivation wasn’t only a search for a boozy group hang, however. — Kelly Dearmore, Dallas News, "Women in craft brewing launch new virtual NTX Beermuda Triangle Festival," 2 Dec. 2020 Besides the main space, the treehouse also has a back room, which provides a hang space besides the main (open) living room. — Kelly Corbett, House Beautiful, "We Toured This Cozy Catskills Treehouse and It's Absolutely Perfect for a Couple's Getaway," 29 Sep. 2020 The SLP Nest, a teen hang-out and coffee shop primarily run by youth, has closed permanently due to COVID-19, the Nest's website said. — Star Tribune, "Metro briefs: Anoka County Board won't raise property tax levy in 2021," 26 Sep. 2020 Photographs show that the service included music from a hang drum, as well as an image of the late actor alongside a floral display. — Maria Pasquini, PEOPLE.com, "Chadwick Boseman's Wife, Costars Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o & More Attend Private Memorial," 6 Sep. 2020 When income isn’t verified or eligibility isn’t properly redetermined, it can’t be dismissed as just a procedural hang-up. — Hayden Dublois, National Review, "Improper Medicaid Payments Have Soared since Obamacare," 9 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hang.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.