hanging

adjective hang·ing \ ˈhaŋ-iŋ \

Updated on: 17 Apr 2018

Definition of hanging

1 : situated or lying on steeply sloping ground

2 a : jutting out : overhanging

a hanging rock

b : supported only by the wall on one side

a hanging staircase

3 archaic : downcast in appearance

4 : adapted for sustaining a hanging object

5 : deserving, likely to cause, or prone to inflict death by hanging

Examples of hanging in a Sentence

hanging branches blocked our way for a good part of the trail
light from a hanging chandelier filled the great hall

Recent Examples of hanging from the Web

So there’s no more hanging out of the window for a quick puff.

— josh duboff, Vanities, "What Prince Harry Has Reportedly Given Up for Meghan Markle," 12 Dec. 2017
So there’s no more hanging out of the window for a quick puff.

— christopher rosa, Glamour, "Prince Harry Has Reportedly Stopped Smoking for Meghan Markle," 12 Dec. 2017
Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Don't date: Cancer (June 21-July 22) Cultured, epicurean Cancers make great hanging buddies, but keep them in the friend zone.

— the astrotwins, Woman's Day, "Which Sign You Definitely Shouldn't Date," 4 Apr. 2017
The gym includes a piano and five hanging toys: an infant mirror, an elephant with a clacker, a frog with a rolling ball, a tiger and a hippo teether, each with different textures and colors.

— rachel rothman, Good Housekeeping, "Fisher Price Kick and Play Piano Gym," 30 June 2017
In Collins' honor, the organization is pushing anti-hate legislation in the county, where a noose was recently found hanging outside of a middle school.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Slain Bowie State student laid to rest; hate crime investigation underway," 27 May 2017
Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Don't date: Cancer (June 21-July 22) Cultured, epicurean Cancers make great hanging buddies, but keep them in the friend zone.

— the astrotwins, Woman's Day, "Which Sign You Definitely Shouldn't Date," 4 Apr. 2017

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

First Known Use of hanging

12th century

hanging Synonyms

hanging

noun

Definition of hanging

1 : an execution by strangling or breaking the neck by a suspended noose

2 : something hung: such as

a : curtain

b : a covering (such as a tapestry) for a wall

3 : a downward slope : declivity

See hanging defined for English-language learners

See hanging defined for kids

Examples of hanging in a Sentence

The hanging was scheduled for 3 o'clock.
He was sentenced to death by hanging.

Recent Examples of hanging from the Web

Is there any greater joy than skating till dark on a frozen lake below a hanging glacier?

— katie arnold, Outside Online, "Banff's Top Family Adventures," 11 Apr. 2018
But with a growing family at home, Abiah likely had her hands full and would likely have been too busy to make the roughly 20-mile trek from Boston to Salem Village to protest witch hangings.

— rachel kaufman, Smithsonian, "Welcome to Salem, Witches: “Timeless” Season 2, Episode 4, Recapped," 9 Apr. 2018
Between then and now, checkered linoleum floors, chrome dinette sets, and massive hanging pot racks all had their moment.

— michelle slatalla, WSJ, "Why Kitchen Islands Are Ruining America’s Kitchens," 3 Apr. 2018
Teams will be able to expose his waning velocity, golf some hanging changeups or curves and overpower the aging righty.

— jon tayler, SI.com, "The Old Félix Hernández Showed Up for the Mariners on Opening Day," 30 Mar. 2018
Actually, art was in the halls, and even the ceilings, of the school where many of the nearly 650 students created figurines to go with the hanging sculptures.

— pioneer press, chicagotribune.com, "Art is in the air — and throughout the building — at art show at John Mills school in Elmwood Park," 12 Mar. 2018
Read more: The only blemish on Fulmer’s day was allowing a solo home run to Mets catcher Kevin Plawecki, who hit a hanging slider onto the leftfield berm.

— anthony fenech, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Tigers' Michael Fulmer strikes out 5 batters in return to mound," 9 Mar. 2018
Press the dough snugly to all sides (a straight-sided measuring cup helps) and then sweep your rolling pin right over the top to trim off the extra hanging dough in one swift move (another highly satisfying task).

— emma wartzman, Bon Appetit, "This Salted Caramel-Chocolate Tart Tastes Like a Sophisticated Milk Dud," 28 Feb. 2018
The Orioles allow handmade banners and signs, but do not permit the hanging of banners in the ballpark.

— baltimoresun.com, "What you need to know about Orioles' Opening Day at Camden Yards," 29 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of hanging

14th century

hanging Synonyms

Synonyms

declension, decline, declivity, descent, dip, downgrade, downhill, fall, hang;

Antonyms

acclivity, ascent, rise, upgrade, uphill, uprise;

Near Antonyms

grade, gradient, hill, inclination, incline, lean, pitch, rake, tilt;

Related Words

basin, depression, hollow;

HANGING Defined for English Language Learners

hanging

noun

Definition of hanging for English Language Learners

: the act of killing someone by hanging that person from a rope tied around the neck
: something (such as a curtain) that is hung on a wall especially for decoration