hinge

noun

Save Word

\ 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 uponthe 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

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of hinge in a Sentence

Verb the outcome of the game hinged on a single play

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun But that huge door swings on this little hinge called the human heart. — CBS News, "Transcript: Admiral James Stavridis talks with Michael Morell on "Intelligence Matters"," 4 Dec. 2019 Make sure there are no holes or hinges that could catch little fingers. — Maggie Rauser, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Safe Kids Carroll: Toy safety tips for kids and adults," 30 Nov. 2019 The blasts shattered windows and ripped off doors off hinges in nearby homes. — Fox News, "Evacuation order lifted amid Texas plant fire, blaze contained, officials say," 30 Nov. 2019 Two redwood French doors with plexiglass windows hung cockeyed from creaky hinges at the entrance, and a combination lock provided meager security against intruders. — Jeff Sharlet, Harpers Magazine, "December 2019," 25 Nov. 2019 Two redwood French doors with plexiglass windows hung cockeyed from creaky hinges at the entrance, and a combination lock provided meager security against intruders. — Wes Enzinna, Harper's magazine, "Gimme Shelter," 19 Nov. 2019 The kickstand itself has a multi-position hinge that maxes out at 165 degrees. — CNN Money, "Microsoft's Surface Pro X is for many, but not everyone yet," 5 Nov. 2019 Hopes for that hinge in turn on the health of the labour market. — The Economist, "America’s economy is resisting the pull of recession," 31 Oct. 2019 The company changed up the two-in-one's screen, hinge, keyboard, and internals—including new Ice Lake processors. — Valentina Palladino, Ars Technica, "Dell XPS 13 two-in-one review: Lots to flex, few weaknesses," 8 Oct. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Whatever happens the rest of the season will hinge largely on whether Stafford returns this season. — Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press, "Here's my initial impression of Detroit Lions QB Jeff Driskel," 10 Nov. 2019 The ultra-tight, undecided races to determine San Francisco’s next district attorney and District Five supervisor will hinge on the roughly 70,000 ballots that the city’s Elections Department still needs to count. — Dominic Fracassa, SFChronicle.com, "Nail-biter San Francisco races hinge on 70,000 uncounted ballots," 6 Nov. 2019 Stimpson said the success of the annexations in each of the three corridors doesn’t hinge on the outcome in the others. — John Sharp | Jsharp@al.com, al, "Mobile’s annexation push a ‘surprise’ in Semmes," 29 Oct. 2019 Steele's aware that the success or failure of his team this season (and really every season) will hinge on whether or not Xavier commits completely to the defensive end of the floor. — Adam Baum, Cincinnati.com, "Xavier Musketeers basketball: Questions to answer in the 2019-20 college basketball season," 21 Oct. 2019 Both George and Leonard indicated on Sunday strong interest in playing for Team USA at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo while adding their decision would hinge on health. — Andrew Greif, Los Angeles Times, "Clippers’ Paul George out until November, but Kawhi Leonard says he’s healthy," 29 Sep. 2019 In surprisingly blunt comments, al-Sistani’s representative in Beirut, Hamid al-Khafaf, said progress in Iraq hinges on bringing all arms under state control. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Iraq’s stability on the line as US, Iran tensions soar," 20 Sep. 2019 South Koreans are relieved that their careers no longer hinge on jangling a tambourine for their tone-deaf bosses. — The Economist, "Karaoke with colleagues is no longer compulsory in South Korea," 22 Aug. 2019 The union’s endorsement will hinge on whether a candidate supports the proposals, which include better pay and working conditions for fast food workers and making union labor central to any economic agenda. — cleveland.com, "The gun debate is all over the place in the Midwest: The Flyover," 22 Aug. 2019

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.