hangar

1 of 2

noun

han·​gar ˈhaŋ-ər How to pronounce hangar (audio) ˈhaŋ-gər How to pronounce hangar (audio)
Synonyms of hangarnext
: shelter, shed
especially : a covered and usually enclosed area for housing and repairing aircraft

hangar

2 of 2

verb

hangared; hangaring; hangars

transitive verb

: to place or store in a hangar

Examples of hangar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Not far away, racecars echoed off aircraft hangars and concrete barriers. — Greg Engle, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 The broader project includes more than 300,000 square feet of hangar space. — Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 18 June 2026
Verb
The issue of high fuel prices came to the board’s attention in late spring when airport tenants – which range from flight schools, to charter aircraft, to hangar renters – began to complain to board members. — Jordan Graham, Orange County Register, 25 Jan. 2017 See All Example Sentences for hangar

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from French, "shed open on one or more sides for storing agricultural products, farm implements, and vehicles," going back to Middle French, perhaps going back to Old Low Franconian *haimgarda- "enclosure around a building," going back to West Germanic *haima- "dwelling" + *garđa- "enclosure" — more at home entry 1, yard entry 1

Note: The French form occurs earliest as a place name, Hangart (1135), in Somme department. Though the persistent attestation of the word with initial h-, diachronically and in dialects, is a certain indication of Germanic origin, the fact that such a compound is apparently not attested as a generic word or place-name in a Germanic language renders the etymology speculative.

Verb

verbal derivative of hangar entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1852, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1943, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hangar was in 1852

Rhymes for hangar

See All Rhymes for hangar

Browse Nearby Words

hang about
hangar
hangar deck
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hangar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hangar. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hangar

noun
hang·​ar
ˈhaŋ-ər, 
ˈhaŋ-gər
: a shelter for housing and repairing aircraft
Etymology

Noun

from French hangar "shed"

More from Merriam-Webster on hangar

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hangar

Nglish: Translation of hangar for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hangar

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