hanging

adjective hang·ing \ ˈhaŋ-iŋ \

|Updated on: 6 Aug 2018

Examples: hanging in a Sentence

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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

This isn’t ideal for belay slaves who spend hours at attention while their partners work a project and milk every hanging rest.

— hayden carpenter, Outside Online, "Testing Wild Country's Revo Belay Device," 2 July 2018
The next pitch was a hanging slider that Eric Hosmer knocked for a single.

— jeff wilson, star-telegram, "Rangers Reaction tries to explain why Willie Calhoun was passed over yet again," 26 June 2018
That's largely thanks to the beautiful hanging plants and floral accents by David Fierabend of Groundswell Design Group.

— mark kurlyandchik, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit's new outdoor dining concept feels more like Miami Beach," 22 June 2018
In 1970, the units were occupied by a doctor, a professional photographer and a struggling head shop, which had the lone hanging sign in the front of the store.

— dennis sullivan, Daily Southtown, "Hayman-Hawkins building, link to lost downtown Chicago Heights, coming down," 11 June 2018
The producers are reluctant to answer any hanging questions, preferring to leave viewers to their own imaginations.

— bill keveney, USA TODAY, "'The Americans' finale: FX drama ended with 'appropriate heartbreaker,' Keri Russell says," 31 May 2018
Winston’s pranks have become a massive hanging threat over every moment of the lofties' lives; one that could strike at literally any moment or pass by like an unnoticed breeze (see: Schmidt’s cereal blueberry).

— refinery29.com, "Why We Should Have All Seen The New Girl Series Finale Twist Coming," 16 May 2018
Jigs with white or pear crawfish trailers make good packages for skipping under low hanging docks and brush, a highly effective bassing tactic during the shad spawn on Alabama lakes.

— frank sargeant, AL.com, "Skipping jigs for hard-to-reach bass," 2 May 2018
Meghan's onscreen wedding is decorated with hanging lights and an altar of flowers and vines.

— kayleigh roberts, Marie Claire, "Meghan Markle Looked Like a Princess in Her Wedding Dress on 'Suits'," 19 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of hanging

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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