hang-up

1 of 2

noun

: a source of mental or emotional difficulty
broadly : problem

hang up

2 of 2

verb

hung up; hanging up; hangs up

transitive verb

1
a
: to place on a hook or hanger designed for the purpose
hang up your coat
b
: to replace (a telephone receiver) on the cradle so that the connection is broken
2
: to keep delayed, suspended, or held up
3
: to cause to stick or snag immovably
the ship was hung up on a sandbar

intransitive verb

1
: to break a telephone connection
2
: to become stuck or snagged so as to be immovable

Examples of hang-up in a Sentence

Noun low self-esteem is only one of his many hang-ups
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Most of the hang-up was over the requirement for up to seven days’ notice before officers could break up encampments, which the council reduced to three days before delaying a final vote until June 30. Tim Clouser, The Washington Examiner, 1 July 2025 The police department still received 1,921 calls for the year with the most coming from burglar alarms – 843 — and 911 hang-ups — 269. John Tuohy, IndyStar, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
Country music icon Keith Urban appeared to abruptly hang up on radio hosts during an interview after being asked a question about wife Nicole Kidman. Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025 There are a few items our experts say are acceptable to hang up or place on a drying rack to dry naturally instead of tossing in the dryer. Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for hang-up

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1952, in the meaning defined above

Verb

12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of hang-up was in the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hang-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hang-up. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

hang-up

1 of 2 noun
ˈhaŋ-ˌəp
: a source of mental or emotional difficulty

hang up

2 of 2 verb
(ˈ)haŋ-ˈəp
1
a
: to place on a hook or hanger
hang up your coat
b
: to replace a telephone receiver on the cradle so that the connection is broken
also : to end a telephone conversation
2
: to snag or cause to snag so as to be immovable
a boat hung up on rocks
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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