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
Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 1 Nov. 2025
Then that steering column folds forward at the hinge, and the saddle does a 180.
—New Atlas, 31 Oct. 2025
Leoni Jesner, Health, 1 Nov. 2025
In place of an artist’s creative intent, these projects hinge entirely on the discernment and dedication of whoever stewards them.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hinge
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Noun
Video footage of the incident shows that the home's interior scaffolding is now exposed, and the top-floor window can be seen hanging on a hinge after being blown out by the blaze.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 1 Nov. 2025
Then that steering column folds forward at the hinge, and the saddle does a 180.
—New Atlas, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
Reverse the exercise by hinging your hips, bending your knees and lowering the dumbbells back down to the mat with control.
—Leoni Jesner, Health, 1 Nov. 2025
In place of an artist’s creative intent, these projects hinge entirely on the discernment and dedication of whoever stewards them.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 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 6 Nov. 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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