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
Llewellyn King, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
When the day is done, the bottle is easy to disassemble for popping into the top dishwasher tray, and the lid hinges open for thorough cleaning.
—Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 19 June 2025
Ryan Masiello, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
But keeping that good thing going may hinge heavily on the success of Mabrey’s cooking lessons.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hinge
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Noun
The company has been granted two hinge patents and three others.
—Llewellyn King, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
When the day is done, the bottle is easy to disassemble for popping into the top dishwasher tray, and the lid hinges open for thorough cleaning.
—Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 19 June 2025
Verb
Moving forward, success won’t hinge solely on location or mandates but on how well workplaces are redesigned to foster connection, innovation and purpose.
—Ryan Masiello, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
But keeping that good thing going may hinge heavily on the success of Mabrey’s cooking lessons.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hinge
Cite this Entry
“Hinge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hinge. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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
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