hinge

1 of 2

noun

ˈhinj 

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

Illustration of hinge

• hinge 1a

hinge

2 of 2

verb

hinged; hinging

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 upon

the prosecution's case hinges on the DNA evidence

transitive verb

: to attach by or furnish with hinges

Synonyms of hinge

Verb

• depend

Examples of hinge in a Sentence

Verb

the outcome of the game hinged on a single play

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Robinson adds that a favorite upgrade for older kitchens and baths is to install soft-close hinges. —Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 31 Jan. 2026

Video posted online by Kol Haolam News shows the Honda sedan backing up and then driving into the pair of double doors, knocking one door off its hinges. —Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 30 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

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1719, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing hinge

• butt hinge
• hinge joint
• hinge on
• piano hinge

Rhymes for hinge

• binge
• cringe
• fringe
• singe
• tinge
• twinge
• impinge
• infringe
• syringe

Kids Definition

hinge

1 of 2 noun

ˈhinj 

1

: 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