hinge

noun

\ ˈhinj

Definition of hinge

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a jointed or flexible device on which a door, lid, or other swinging part turns

b : a flexible ligamentous joint

c : a small piece of thin gummed paper used in fastening a postage stamp in an album

2 : a determining factor : turning point

hinge

verb

hinged; hinging

Definition of hinge (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to swing on or as if on a hinge These thoughtful amenities include … an outdoor patio TV that hinges outward toward the pool …— Paul Takahashi … we pulled within feet of a 12-foot crocodile, his huge jaw hinging open in warning to reveal a toothy grin.— Andrea Bartz

2 : 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

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about hinge

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Synonyms for hinge

Synonyms: Verb

depend, hang, ride, turn

Examples of hinge in a Sentence

Verb

the outcome of the game hinged on a single play

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Romainian Deadlift The deadlift also trains the hip hinge motion, but targets your hamstrings more than a squat does. — Amy Marturana, SELF, "8 Strength Exercises All Beginners Should Learn How to Do," 2 May 2019 Royole is cheating a bit by giving the display a very wide hinge to bend around, which puts the display under less stress. — Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, "Samsung teases mythical smartphone with foldable display," 5 Nov. 2018 In March, Huawei filed a patent application for a smartphone with a continuous screen on a book-like hinge. — Dan Strumpf, WSJ, "Smartphone Makers Seek Foldable Phones With Flex Appeal," 31 Oct. 2018 The screens are touchscreens, and the Yoga Chromebook has a 360-degree hinge. — Peter Bright, Ars Technica, "Lenovo pushes Chromebooks upmarket with the Yoga Chromebook," 30 Aug. 2018 If the probe came into contact with the hinges or frame and prevented the hood from fully folding or unfolding, the stroller was considered hazardous. — The Good Housekeeping Institute, Good Housekeeping, "How We Tested Baby Strollers," 11 Oct. 2010 That new rear hinge allows you to adjust the angle of the 12-inch display, and its included-in-the-box keyboard magnetically attaches to the bottom display bezel in the exact same way as the Surface keyboard. — Chris Welch, The Verge, "The Galaxy Book 2 is Samsung’s answer to the Surface Pro," 18 Oct. 2018 From broken railings and siding boards to knobs and hinges, this is a great time of year to make needed repairs. — Wire Services, The Seattle Times, "10 items to check off your fall home to-do list," 15 Oct. 2018 Its wooden door frame and window hinges were banging. Peeking through the windows, Alexa saw doors and screens flying and crashing. — Todd Pitman, Fox News, "AP WAS THERE: 2013 typhoon kills thousands in Philippines," 15 Sep. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The charge of rebellion will hinge on whether the prosecution can establish that the separatists employed violence during the breakaway attempt. — Aritz Parra, The Seattle Times, "Spain’s courts put to test by trial of Catalan separatists," 11 Feb. 2019 The risks of such transactions can hinge on talent retention. — Tatyana Shumsky, WSJ, "Companies Use Deals to Buy New Skills in Battle to Spur Growth," 23 Jan. 2019 The success of the global polio eradication campaign may hinge on the outcome of the DRC’s polio outbreak. — Julia Belluz, Vox, "A vaccine we don’t even use anymore is a reason polio keeps spreading — yes, really," 4 July 2018 This, of course, is hinged on (1) Cersei actually being pregnant and (2) her having a boy. — Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "This New Game of Thrones Theory Predicts How Cersei Will Die," 19 Apr. 2019 Much of the function of this ear-nose-throat network hinges on tiny canals called the Eustachian tubes. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "Here’s How to Get Relief From Ear Pressure When You’re Sick," 9 Apr. 2019 The future of the world’s biggest gold-mining deal hinges on a chunk of terrain that is among the most valuable in America: the gold fields of Nevada. — Jacquie Mcnish, WSJ, "Nevada’s Gold Is at Center of Barrick vs. Newmont Fight," 4 Mar. 2019 The fate of the U.S. aviation industry clearly hinges on that signature. — Sam Blum, Popular Mechanics, "Belgium Cancels All Flights For 24 Hours as Air Traffic Controllers Strike," 13 Feb. 2019 At this point, this hinges upon him not resigning, which any sane person in his position would do. — Jennifer Wright, Harper's BAZAAR, "What Will Actually Happen to Trump?," 19 Dec. 2018

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.