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
James Powel, USA Today, 8 Dec. 2025
The researchers report that human teleoperators often struggled to interpret hinge forces through the VR interface, sometimes pulling too forcefully or losing balance.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Dec. 2025
Marc Telio, Travel + Leisure, 30 Nov. 2025
Keeping your torso tall and straight, hinge forward from your hips and gradually reach your chin toward your toes to feel a deep stretch in the back of your leg.
—Jakob Roze, Health, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hinge
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Noun
Dealers are to inspect and reinstall or replace any missing liftgate hinge covers as necessary, at no cost.
—James Powel, USA Today, 8 Dec. 2025
The researchers report that human teleoperators often struggled to interpret hinge forces through the VR interface, sometimes pulling too forcefully or losing balance.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Dec. 2025
Verb
But again—don’t build a trip that hinges entirely on a light show.
—Marc Telio, Travel + Leisure, 30 Nov. 2025
Keeping your torso tall and straight, hinge forward from your hips and gradually reach your chin toward your toes to feel a deep stretch in the back of your leg.
—Jakob Roze, Health, 27 Nov. 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 16 Dec. 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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