Illustration of hinge
- hinge 1a
1
a
: 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
hinged; hinging
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
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
Andrea Bartz2
: to be contingent on a single consideration or point
—used with on or upon
the prosecution's case hinges on the DNA evidence
: to attach by or furnish with hinges
Examples of hinge in a Sentence
Verb
the outcome of the game hinged on a single play
Recent Examples on the Web
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 3 June 2026
The tariffs unveiled on Tuesday hinge on Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which gives the government the power to investigate alleged unfair trade practices and impose tariffs and other restrictions.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 3 June 2026
Frederik Pleitgen, CNN Money, 5 June 2026
Rubio said Iran has not made any concessions on its nuclear program that satisfy Washington and added that sanctions relief will hinge on Iran giving up its enriched uranium and dismantling its nuclear program.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hinge
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Meanwhile, the overindexing of Scary Movie hinges on walk-up business in what’s expected to pull in a very diverse audience including Black and Latino-Hispanic moviegoers as well as a three-demo first choice strong with women under/over 25 and men over 25 at 3,400 theaters.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 3 June 2026
The tariffs unveiled on Tuesday hinge on Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which gives the government the power to investigate alleged unfair trade practices and impose tariffs and other restrictions.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 3 June 2026
Verb
The ceasefire hinged on an end to Hezbollah attacks, but the group was not party to the talks and its leader rejected the pact.
—Frederik Pleitgen, CNN Money, 5 June 2026
Rubio said Iran has not made any concessions on its nuclear program that satisfy Washington and added that sanctions relief will hinge on Iran giving up its enriched uranium and dismantling its nuclear program.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hinge
Cite this Entry
“Hinge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hinge. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hinge
1 of 2 noun1
: a jointed piece on which a door, lid, or other swinging part turns
2
: the joint between valves of a bivalve's shell
hinge
2 of 2 verb
hinged; hinging
1
: to attach by or provide with hinges
2
: to hang or turn as if on a hinge : depend
our success hinges on this decision
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
