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)
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
: to attach by or furnish with hinges
Test Your Vocabulary
Name That Food
-
- Name these cookies!

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share hinge
Time Traveler for hinge
The first known use of hinge was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century