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

Utopia Home Premium Wooden Hangers One of my favorite little luxuries in my own home is having wooden hangers in all of our closets, which makes putting away laundry or getting dressed feel less like a chore. —Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Jan. 2026

Look for hooks or other hanger accessories that can easily hold your items, giving them their own space and freeing up room elsewhere for your clothes. —Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 28 Jan. 2026

Requirements include taking responsibility for their environmental impact by measuring and offsetting carbon emissions, and by eliminating the use of single-use plastic hangers and garment bags. —Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 26 Jan. 2026

Start by turning your hangers all in the reverse direction at the beginning of a season or month. —Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 26 Jan. 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