hitch

verb

\ ˈhich

hitched; hitching; hitches

Definition of hitch

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to move by jerks or with a tug hitching his chair closer to the table

2a : to catch or fasten by or as if by a hook or knot hitched his horse to the fence post

b(1) : to connect (a vehicle or implement) with a source of motive power hitch a rake to a tractor

(2) : to attach (a source of motive power) to a vehicle or instrument hitch the horses to the wagon

c : to join in marriage got hitched

3 : hitchhike hitched a ride into town

intransitive verb

1 : to move with halts and jerks : hobble hitched along on her cane

2a : to become entangled, made fast, or linked

b : to become joined in marriage

3 : hitchhike hitched back home

hitch

noun

Definition of hitch (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : limp had a hitch in his step

2 : a sudden movement or pull : jerk gave his trousers a hitch

3a : a sudden halt : stoppage a hitch in the performance

b : a usually unforeseen difficulty or obstacle the plan went off without a hitch

4 : the act or fact of catching hold

5 : a connection between a vehicle or implement and a detachable source of power (such as a tractor or horse) attached a trailer hitch to his pickup

6 : a delimited period especially of military service serving a four-year hitch in the navy

7 : any of various knots used to form a temporary noose in a line or to secure a line temporarily to an object

8 : lift entry 2 sense 5b catching a hitch into town

Other Words from hitch Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about hitch

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Examples of hitch in a Sentence

Verb

hitch a trailer to a car He hitched across the country last summer. He hitched his way across the country last summer.

Noun

The plan went off without a hitch. He went back to college after doing his hitch in the army. a seven-year hitch at the newspaper

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The idea was to hitch the tiny house to a pickup truck, travel around the country and chronicle it through a blog, tinyhousegiantjourney.com. — Lisa Ward, WSJ, "A Desire to Save Money—While Traveling in a Tiny House," 10 June 2018 The hopes and dreams of the 2018 Oregon Ducks wouldn't be hitched to someone who just stepped foot on campus, however. — Tyson Alger, OregonLive.com, "Oregon Ducks continue to find challenges for Justin Herbert as QB finishes up spring practices," 18 Apr. 2018 The spirits of Nikola Tesla, the Wright Brothers, Henry Ford, Steve Jobs and President John F Kennedy might want to hitch a ride. — Jeff Darcy, cleveland.com, "Hope Hicks Rob Porter defense deplorable: Darcy cartoon," 11 Feb. 2018 Yet, our state leaders want to hitch Alaska's future to a dubious resurgence in oil. — Anchorage Daily News, "Beyond oil: Alaska’s first step is a sustainable budget," 7 Feb. 2018 But was anyone more determined than Billy to hitch a ride on the most famous rig in America? — Laurie Gwen Shapiro, Longreads, "Determined to Hitch a Ride on the Greatest Rig in America," 16 Jan. 2018 Panicking, Jug agrees to hitch a ride with a stranger, much to Archie's dismay. — Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Riverdale Season 2 Episode 7: Betty Plays Detective," 30 Nov. 2017 Think of it as a full-body scan using a mirror to look all over yourself for any ticks that hitched a ride home with you. — Kate Sheridan, SELF, "Here’s Exactly What to Do if a Tick Bites You," 14 July 2018 Cox enters the race a long shot and hitched to President Donald Trump, who is widely unpopular in California. — Washington Post, "California Republicans see ray of hope in Democratic bastion," 6 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The deal hit a last minute hitch though, consequently forcing the former Ligue 1 champions to pull out of a deal to sell their prized asset. — SI.com, "Rumours of Potential Move for £12m Rated Relegated Star Leave Liverpool Fans With Mixed Emotions," 11 June 2018 In Cork, despite a drenching rain, 40 games went off without a hitch, while most of the Kerry matches were rained out entirely. — Charles P. Pierce, SI.com, "Trump Has Made the NFL His Punching Bag. The League’s Best Response Is Defiance," 9 July 2018 Madden said any similar attempt to wrest power during the North Korean leader's absence was unlikely, pointing to Kim's previous trips to Beijing and Dalian in China, which went off without a hitch. — James Griffiths, CNN, "North Korea shakes up military leadership as Trump-Kim summit nears," 4 June 2018 No agents were injured in the operation, and the other raids and arrests went off without a hitch, police said. — Keri Blakinger, Houston Chronicle, "Homeland Security agent shoots suspect during southwest Houston raid," 11 July 2018 Hosting one is an epic production, and this one has gone off without a hitch. — Martin Rogers, USA TODAY, "Whatever happens, Vladimir Putin is winning the World Cup," 1 July 2018 But there’s a hitch: Penelope has been abducted by a romantic rival and needs rescuing, Samuel eventually tells the parson. — Michael Phillips, chicagotribune.com, "'Damsel' review: A sardonic Western courtship that lasts a lifetime," 28 June 2018 The boats are loaded one by one, and set off, for the most part without a hitch. — Henry J. Morgan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "YMCA at Pabst Farms' fishing night offers people with disabilities a fun night on Okauchee Lake," 26 June 2018 But there’s a hitch right now: Real is at a U.S. under-20 national team training camp in Spain. — Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com, "Union left back Fabinho could be out injured 'a few weeks'; Matt Real in line to replace him," 22 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hitch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

9 Sep 2018

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Time Traveler for hitch

The first known use of hitch was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for hitch

hitch

verb

English Language Learners Definition of hitch

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to attach, fasten, or connect (something) with a hook, knot, etc.

hitch

noun

English Language Learners Definition of hitch (Entry 2 of 2)

: a hidden problem that makes something more complicated or difficult to do

: a device that is used to connect one thing (such as a plow or trailer) to another (such as a tractor, car, or animal)

: a period of service in the military, at a job, etc.

See the full definition for hitch in the English Language Learners Dictionary

hitch

verb

\ ˈhich

hitched; hitching

Kids Definition of hitch

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to fasten by or as if by a hook or knot Hitch the horses to the wagon.

2 : hitchhike

3 : to pull or lift (something) with a quick movement

hitch

noun

Kids Definition of hitch (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : an unexpected stop or problem Even their opening performance in Seattle went off without a hitch … —Richard and Florence Atwater, Mr. Popper's Penguins

2 : a jerky movement or pull He gave his pants a hitch.

3 : a knot used for a temporary fastening