hanger

noun

hang·​er ˈhaŋ-ər 

1

: one that hangs or causes to be hung or hanged

2

: something that hangs, overhangs, or is suspended: such as

a

: a decorative strip of cloth

b

: a small sword formerly used by sailors

c

chiefly British : a small wood on steeply sloping land

3

: a device by which or to which something is hung or hangs: such as

a

: a strap on a sword belt by which a sword or dagger can be suspended

b

: a loop by which a garment is hung up

c

: a device that fits inside or around a garment for hanging from a hook or rod

Examples of hanger in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Clothing that looks good on the hanger doesn’t always feel good on the body, especially when flare-prone areas like the underarms, inner thighs and beneath the breasts are involved. —Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 6 May 2026

Hang it on your front porch to birdwatch from your favorite rocking chair, add it to a standing hanger in your garden, or mount it from a hook outside your window. —Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 6 May 2026

Finally, the professional will install hangers to reinforce your gutters before screwing the mesh guard on top. —Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 4 May 2026

Machines like the Photon M7 Max integrate hangers like this to help the resin drip away quickly prior to removing the build plate and eliminate the risk of dripping uncured resin on the machine or worktable. —Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 2 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hanger

• cliff-hanger
• clothes hanger
• coat hanger
• hanger-on
• hanger steak

Rhymes for hanger

• ganger
• hangar

Video

Is It 'Hanger' or 'Hangar'?

How to remember which is which

Kids Definition

hanger

noun

hang·​er ˈhaŋ-ər 

1

: one that hangs

2

: a device by which something hangs

especially : a device for hanging a garment from a hook or rod