hanging

1 of 2

adjective

hang·​ing ˈhaŋ-iŋ 

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

hanging

2 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms

Adjective

• bowing
• nodding
• bowed
• weeping
• falling
• hung
• dangling

Noun

• downhill
• dip
• fall
• descent
• decline
• hang

Examples of hanging in a Sentence

Adjective

hanging branches blocked our way for a good part of the trail

light from a hanging chandelier filled the great hall

Noun

The hanging was scheduled for 3 o'clock.

He was sentenced to death by hanging.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Of the other methods – including electrocution, lethal gas and hanging – lethal injection had the highest botch rate of more than 7%. ‘An embrace of brutality’ Still, states have remained averse to the firing squad, a position that experts who spoke to CNN believe stems from its overt violence. —Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025

The neutral material keeps it from looking like an eye sore and can be expanded for more hanging space as needed. —Micaela Arnett, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2024

Noun

Seven calls described suicide attempts or self-harm, including overdoses and hangings. —Dhruv Mehrotra, Wired News, 25 June 2025

Then the firing squads and hangings of the Wild West days moved to the electric chair, which eventually gave way to the gas chamber and in more recent history, lethal injection. —Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 6 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hanging

• hanging indention
• hanging lobster claw
• low-hanging fruit

Rhymes for hanging

• banging
• clanging
• ganging
• haranguing
• overhanging

Kids Definition

hanging

1 of 2 noun

hang·​ing

ˈhaŋ-iŋ

1

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

2

: something hung (as a curtain or tapestry)

—usually used in plural

hanging

2 of 2 adjective

1

: located on steeply sloping ground

hanging gardens

2

a

: sticking out

hanging rocks

b

: supported only by the wall on one side

a hanging staircase

3

: suitable for holding a hanging object

4

: punishable by hanging

a hanging offense