hitch

verb \ ˈhich \

Updated on: 21 May 2018

Definition of hitch

transitive verb

1 : to move by jerks or with a tug

hitching his chair closer to the table

2 a : 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

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

b : to become joined in marriage

3 : hitchhike

hitched back home

—

hitcher

noun

See hitch defined for English-language learners

See hitch defined for kids

Examples of hitch in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of hitch from the Web

The newlyweds recently got hitched with a wedding at City Hall.

— maria ward, Vogue, "How Emily Ratajkowski and Her Husband Do Couple’s Athleisure," 11 May 2018
But each May its trees burst with pink flowers, the lawns become grounds for picnics, and the benches are hitched with honor-system library boxes.

— adam h. graham, Condé Nast Traveler, "Plan a Trip to Zurich This Summer (Yes, Really)," 2 May 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are getting hitched on Saturday, May 19, in St. George’s Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle.

— matthew gilbert, BostonGlobe.com, "Networks are preparing the royal wedding treatment," 11 Apr. 2018
Before the couple got hitched under a patio canopy display, the two had been planning a quiet ceremony at home, the Kansas City Star reported.

— alexandra deabler, Fox News, "Women marry in Walmart's garden section in front of friends, family and customers," 20 Mar. 2018
Letterman only got hitched seven months ago to Regina Lasko, whom he's been dating for 23 years.

— Newsweek, "Amazing Photos of Bioluminescent Phytoplankton," 14 Mar. 2018
The snowmobile started swapping and hitched me off the side of the track.

— eileen reslen, Esquire, "Mike Schultz, Paralympian and U.S. Flag Bearer, Already Feels Like a Winner," 8 Mar. 2018
Yes, there should be diversity in the Republican Party, but not just another Black face hitching itself to policies that only bolsters rich white people.

— michael arceneaux, Essence.com, "Yes, We Want More Black Women To Run For Office. Just Not Stacey Dash," 28 Feb. 2018
At one time, Tharpe could pack a stadium: Some 25,000 people paid to see her get hitched to her third husband at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., in 1951.

— andrea simakis, cleveland.com, "'Marie and Rosetta' brings the music and moxie of Rock Hall inductee Sister Rosetta Tharpe to Cleveland Play House (Preview)," 21 Jan. 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.

Origin and Etymology of hitch

Middle English hytchen

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

hitch Synonyms

hitch

noun

Definition of hitch

1 : limp

had a hitch in his step

2 : a sudden movement or pull : jerk

gave his trousers a hitch

3 a : 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 : ²lift 5b

catching a hitch into town

See hitch defined for English-language learners

Examples of hitch in a Sentence

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 of hitch from the Web

The two toasts that followed hers went off without a hitch.

— lauren chval, chicagotribune.com, "'It read like a dissection of our sex life': Recovering from a wedding toast disaster," 16 May 2018
But in true Shondaland fashion, their big day definitely won’t be going off without a hitch.

— refinery29.com, "All Signs Point To Alex & Jo’s Wedding On Grey’s Anatomy Being A Disaster," 13 May 2018
Falcon 9 took off from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., at 4:15 p.m. Flight controllers watched as the rocket took off without a hitch, successfully completing each stage of the mission.

— paulina dedaj, Fox News, "SpaceX successfully launches rocket one day after failed attempt," 11 May 2018
The impressive loan spells of João Cancelo and Rafinha have fans eager for both players to join permanently next year, and Icardi's sale this summer would allow those deals to go through without a hitch.

— SI.com, "The Time Is Right for Inter Milan to Sell Mauro Icardi," 7 May 2018
The national anthem was scheduled to be played at a Knights of Columbus banquet honoring first responders, but there was a hitch and it wasn’t heard, says Bleu, who was emceeing the event.

— leah garchik, San Francisco Chronicle, "Gauhati gives a lesson at SF ZooFest," 2 May 2018
However, for those traveling only from London to Amsterdam, there is a hitch, at least for now.

— diane daniel, BostonGlobe.com, "Eurostar launches direct route from London to Amsterdam," 1 May 2018
Both sides had agreed to the parameters of him being let out — a large bond and electronic monitoring — but there was a hitch in the details.

— richard ruelas, azcentral, "Backpage co-founder James Larkin to remain in federal custody through weekend," 12 Apr. 2018
The official seemed just as pleased as me; the visas were processed without a hitch.

— rachel aviv, The New Yorker, "Cairo: A Type of Love Story," 30 Apr. 2018

Origin and Etymology of hitch

see ¹hitch

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1664

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

hitch Synonyms

Synonyms

booby trap, catch, gimmick, joker, pitfall, snag;

Related Words

snare, trap, trip wire, web;

hazard, peril, risk;

bomb, bombshell, kicker, surprise (also surprize);

bait, decoy, lure;

HITCH Defined for English Language Learners

hitch

verb

Definition of hitch for English Language Learners

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

hitch

noun

Definition of hitch for English Language Learners

: 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.