hangs; hung
ˈhʌŋ 
or in sense 3 hanged; hanging
or in sense 3 hanged; hanging
1
a
: to attach or place something so that it is held up without support from below
He hung the painting on the wall.
We hung paper lanterns from the trees.
My grandmother used to hang the wash on a clothesline.
A photograph of her family hangs on the wall.
Several of her paintings are hanging in the Museum of Modern Art.
Your coat is hanging in the closet.
The curtains hang all the way (down) to the floor.
b
: to decorate (a surface) by hanging something (such as a picture) on it
—usually used as (be) hung
The walls are hung with paintings. [=there are paintings hanging on the walls]
c
: to put (wallpaper) on a wall
They plan to hang wallpaper in the hallway.
2
: to be in a lowered position
He let his arm hang down into the water.
We hung [=leaned] over the side of the boat and waved.
Her hair hung loose/limply.
3
past tense and past participle usually hanged
a
: to kill (someone) by using a rope that goes around the neck and holds the person's body in the air without any support from below
They will hang him in the county jailhouse.
He was hanged for his crimes.
He hanged himself.
He hanged for his crimes.
b
old-fashioned
—used to express surprise, anger, etc.
We need those supplies now, hang the cost! [=we need them no matter how much they cost]
I'll be hanged if I'll do anything to help him. [=I won't do anything to help him]
4
: to float over a place or object for a long time
Storm clouds were hanging low overhead.
Smoke hung above the crowd.
The smell of perfume hung in the air around her.
5
—used to say that a decision has not yet been made
The decision is still hanging.
6
US, informal
: to be or stay somewhere for a period of time without doing much
We were hanging [=hanging around/out] at Suzee's.
7
chiefly US, informal
: to make (a turn) especially while driving
Hang a right at the stoplight.
8
baseball, of a pitch
: to fail to curve in the desired way
a hanging curveball
: the way in which something hangs
the hang of a skirt
Cite this Entry
“Hang.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/hang. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy Citation
