Definition of hinge
1a : a jointed or flexible device on which a door, lid, or other swinging part turnsb : a flexible ligamentous jointc : a small piece of thin gummed paper used in fastening a postage stamp in an album
2 : a determining factor : turning point
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Recent Examples of hinge from the Web
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Across the main floor of the White House, there were also items ranging from door hinges made in Missouri to beer provided by the Narragansett Brewing Co. of Rhode Island.
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However, Slate noted that previous court filings show that some similar Trump properties operate on the latter model, suggesting that what Trump earns from the hotel hinges on its success.
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When Hurricane Isaac roared through in August 2012, raging water ripped the lighthouse's steel door off its hinges and tore away part of the spiral staircase leading to the lantern room.
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Keeping your weight on your heel and the chest elevated, hinge at the hip until your upper body is parallel to the floor, while allowing your free leg to swing back in unison with your upper body.
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The mirror itself isn’t broken (no bad luck here!), but the hinge on the mirror went a long time ago.
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The hefty metal case slides open on a hinge (cool) to reveal this plummy hydrating pigment (cool cool) from this luxury beauty brand that specializes in creamy makeup pigments in the slickest packaging ever (cool cool cool).
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The ethical test hinges on the idea, of course, that the murder of an innocent baby would save the lives of tens of millions in the Holocaust and World War II.
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Spread cooled filling evenly on pork, then close pork, along the hinge, like a book.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hinge.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Illustration of hinge
Origin and Etymology of hinge
Middle English heng; akin to Middle Dutch henge hook, Old English hangian to hang
Other Anatomy Terms
hinge
Definition of hinge
hinged
;hinging
intransitive verb
: to be contingent on a single consideration or point —used with on or upon the prosecution's case hinges on the DNA evidence
transitive verb
: to attach by or furnish with hinges
Examples of hinge in a Sentence
the outcome of the game hinged on a single play
Recent Examples of hinge from the Web
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Suddenly, the 42-year-old mother of three’s life hinged on a genetic coin flip.
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This week, the genre’s only representatives in Spotify’s top 50 songs -- both globally and domestically -- are Imagine Dragons and Coldplay, and the latter’s inclusion hinges on a Chainsmokers collab.
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Health-care reform’s success will ultimately hinge on whether both sides are willing to compromise.
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However, this plan entirely hinges on whether or not the president ever visits Her Majesty; plans for a State Visit are currently in flux.
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Johnson said the success of the project hinges on a successful partnership with Kendall County.
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The success of the subway system hinges on the organizational culture and the resources that it’s given.
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A lot of this season hinged on young Hope, who was played by Summer Fontana.
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NICE, France—French President Emmanuel Macron’s quest to win a parliamentary majority and pass contentious labor reforms hinges on candidates like Caroline Reverso-Meinietti.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hinge.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of hinge
1719
HINGE Defined for English Language Learners
hinge
playDefinition of hinge for English Language Learners
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: a usually metal piece that attaches a door, gate, or cover to something and allows it to open and close
hinge
Definition of hinge for English Language Learners
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: to attach (a door, gate, or cover) by hinges
HINGE Defined for Kids
Definition of hinge for Students
: a jointed piece on which a door, gate, or lid turns or swings
Definition of hinge for Students
hinged
;hinging
: to attach by or provide with hinges
hinge on
: to be determined or decided by Our plans hinge on the weather.
Learn More about hinge
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See words that rhyme with hinge Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hinge Spanish Central: Translation of hinge Nglish: Translation of hinge for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of hinge for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hinge
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