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
Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
In theory, eliminating a hinge point should improve energy transmission from skier to ski.
—Jenny Wiegand, Outside, 27 Jan. 2026
Kevin Rozario, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The animating drama of the documentary doesn’t hinge just on whether Honnold will emerge from climbing El Cap with life and limb intact but, also, on whether documenting his ascent is even appropriate—a question that members of the film crew, who are all climbers themselves, grapple with onscreen.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hinge
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Noun
Not only as a source of inspiration, but as a hinge of divergence in America.
—Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
In theory, eliminating a hinge point should improve energy transmission from skier to ski.
—Jenny Wiegand, Outside, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
The forum’s closing session was led by behavioural expert Lee Warren who said that commercial success will hinge not just on data, but on understanding how travellers make decisions in high‑stress, time‑sensitive environments.
—Kevin Rozario, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The animating drama of the documentary doesn’t hinge just on whether Honnold will emerge from climbing El Cap with life and limb intact but, also, on whether documenting his ascent is even appropriate—a question that members of the film crew, who are all climbers themselves, grapple with onscreen.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 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 29 Jan. 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
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