hinge

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noun \ ˈhinj \

Definition of hinge

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

See hinge defined for English-language learners

See hinge defined for kids

Recent Examples of hinge from the Web

So getting Dylan Todd, the designer, and Luigi to come and just knock the doors of the hinges is priceless.

— will nevin, AL.com, "Kyle Starks on his upcoming graphic novel 'Kill Them All'," 30 Aug. 2017
The entire movie hinges on their tense relationship, and Andy spends the better part of two hours trying to get into Miranda's good graces, which finally happens right before the closing credits.

— zoe weiner, Glamour, "This 'Devil Wears Prada' Deleted Scene Tells a Completely Different Story," 30 Aug. 2017
One group of toys is a set of wooden pieces on hinges that can be flipped to show either a one or a zero; another is a set of boards with different-sized grids that illustrate image resolution.

— cheryl v. jackson, chicagotribune.com, "Toys at Chicago Public Library teach building blocks of code — without a computer," 3 Aug. 2017
The door begins to groan and flex back and forth on the hinges and deadbolts.

— brantley hargrove, Popular Mechanics, "How to Stop the Wind," 3 Aug. 2017
The front door of the church is tongue and groove planks set on the carved planks diagonal and has large medieval-like black wrought iron hinges which provide a striking contrast to the dark red door.

— Cincinnati.com, "Column: History of Church of the Resurrection in Fernbank," 2 Aug. 2017
Hold the oyster by keeping the hinge toward the back of your hand, and add your condiments.

— sarah solomon, Town & Country, "An Etiquette Guide to Champagne and Oysters," 28 July 2017
The entire plan, however, hinges on approval from Metro Council.

— daniel karell, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville City FC stadium project: We could see 'nitty gritty' of finances by end of September," 21 July 2017
The altarpiece is a mind-blowing polyptych (a many-paneled painting on hinges) that was designed to help people in a medieval hospital endure horrible skin diseases long before the age of painkillers.

— rick steves' europe, The Seattle Times, "Alsace blends the best of France and Germany," 18 July 2017

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.

Illustration of hinge

Origin and Etymology of hinge

Middle English heng; akin to Middle Dutch henge hook, Old English hangian to hang

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

hinge

verb

Definition of hinge

hinged; hinging

intransitive verb

: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

See hinge defined for English-language learners

Examples of hinge in a Sentence

the outcome of the game hinged on a single play

Recent Examples of hinge from the Web

After accepting the Yale offers, which hinged on the Ivy League school's generous financial aid package, the boys maintained some structure over the summer through jobs and internships.

— malaika jabali, Essence.com, "Black Excellence: These Quadruplet Brothers Are All Headed To Yale This Fall," 22 Aug. 2017
Lack of dental records for the Medleys made those identifications hinge on DNA, but those results have now been received from the state crime lab, the sheriff’s office said.

— kristin rodine, idahostatesman, "Remaining victims in Caldwell triple murder identified; murder warrant issued," 8 Aug. 2017
The Children's deal is hinging on a decision by the Neighborhoods Committee, of which Young is the vice chair.

— jason williams, Cincinnati.com, "PX: Where in the world is Wendell Young?," 2 Aug. 2017
For many gallery owners in historic Ellicott City, the decision to either stay or leave after the flood hinged on their concerns of future storms.

— katie v. jones, Howard County Times, "Main Street gallery owners decide to stay, or leave, following flood," 27 July 2017
Suddenly, the 42-year-old mother of three’s life hinged on a genetic coin flip.

— paul sisson, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Do parents' Alzheimer's disease doom their children?," 14 July 2017
This week, the genre’s only representatives in Spotify’s top 50 songs -- both globally and domestically -- are Imagine Dragons and Coldplay, and the latter’s inclusion hinges on a Chainsmokers collab.

— chris payne, Billboard, "Spotify Shares Top Rock Bands List: 7 Things That Might Surprise You," 13 July 2017
Health-care reform’s success will ultimately hinge on whether both sides are willing to compromise.

— michael f. cannon, National Review, "Bringing Senate Conservatives and Moderates Together on Health-Care Reform," 10 July 2017
The fate of legislation repealing and replacing ObamaCare could hinge on an amendment from Sen. Ted Cruz.

— chris stirewalt, Fox News, "Trump looks east for new foreign policy," 5 July 2017

First Known Use of hinge

1719

hinge Synonyms

Synonyms

hang, depend, ride, turn

Related Words

base, establish, found, rest, stay; ground

HINGE Defined for English Language Learners

hinge

play

noun

Definition of hinge for English Language Learners

: a usually metal piece that attaches a door, gate, or cover to something and allows it to open and close

hinge

verb

Definition of hinge for English Language Learners

: to attach (a door, gate, or cover) by hinges

HINGE Defined for Kids

hinge

play

noun \ ˈhinj \

Definition of hinge for Students

:a jointed piece on which a door, gate, or lid turns or swings

hinge

verb

Definition of hinge for Students

hinged; hinging

:to attach by or provide with hinges

— hinge on

:to be determined or decided by

Our plans hinge on the weather.

Learn More about hinge

See words that rhyme with hinge Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hinge Spanish Central: Translation of hinge Nglish: Translation of hinge for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of hinge for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hinge

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hinge

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hinge

Definition of hinge

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HINGE Defined for English Language Learners

hinge

Definition of hinge for English Language Learners

hinge

Definition of hinge for English Language Learners

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hinge

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hinge

Definition of hinge for Students

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