hanging

play

adjective hang·ing \ ˈhaŋ-iŋ \

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

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
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

Synonyms

bowed, bowing, declined, declining, descendant (also descendent), descending, drooping, droopy, nodding, hung, inclining, pendulous, sagging, stooping, weeping

Antonyms

unbending, upright

Related Words

floppy, limp; dangling, falling, pendent (or pendant), suspended; dipping, sinking, slumping

Near Antonyms

erect, inflexible, rigid, stiff; elevated, raised, upraised

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

Judge Robert C. Baltzell had scheduled the hanging for just after midnight.

— will higgins, Indianapolis Star, "Uncle George, a murdered FBI agent and the hangman: Indy's last hanging," 15 Aug. 2017
With issues ranging from conservative demands for border-wall money and the defunding of Planned Parenthood to liberal demands for Obamacare market-stabilization hanging fire, a government-shutdown crisis is entirely possible.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "GOP Struggles to Secure a ‘Clean’ Debt-Limit Increase," 3 Aug. 2017
Also in Maryland, two 19-year-olds are being prosecuted in the hanging of a noose from a light fixture outside a middle school.

— caitlin dickerson, The Seattle Times, "Cases of hangman’s noose are a part of uptick in hate crimes," 5 July 2017
Also in Maryland, two 19-year-olds are being prosecuted in the hanging of a noose from a light fixture outside a middle school.

— sheryl gay stolberg and caitlin dickerson, New York Times, "Hangman’s Noose, Symbol of Racial Animus, Keeps Cropping Up," 5 July 2017
Moustakas maintained his record home-run pace, hammering a two-run shot on a hanging breaking ball from Hernandez in the top of the fourth.

— rustin dodd, kansascity, "Danny Duffy returns, Mike Moustakas homers again in 7-3 win over Mariners," 4 July 2017
This week, word broke that Trump has a Time magazine cover—sporting his own face—hanging in several of his golf resorts.

— laura bradley, HWD, "Colbert, Meyers Gleefully Rip Trump Over His Fake Time Magazine Cover," 29 June 2017
So one more purchase: a small hanging kit that will enable you to easily attach a hanging device.

— ellen warren, chicagotribune.com, "Finding a deal on framing for Mr. Fluff," 26 June 2017
Video shows her hanging by her hands as a crowd 25 feet below reaches up and calls to her.

— joe sutton, CNN, "Teen hurt after dropping from ride at Six Flags," 25 June 2017

First Known Use of hanging

14th century

hanging Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

acclivity, ascent, rise, upgrade, uphill, uprise

Related Words

basin, depression, hollow

Near Antonyms

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

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