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
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2026
The ceiling had fallen in, and the only car visible was a white Ford, one of its doors ripped from its hinges, entirely crushed except for its hood.
—
Armando Ledezma,
New Yorker,
30 June 2026
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Lasting change hinges less on what any coach does or says — publicly or privately.
—
Paul Tenorio,
New York Times,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hinge
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Noun
One other notable update from the Nikkei report is that Apple and its suppliers have made progress resolving the hinge engineering issues, which were reportedly release causing delays.
—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2026
The ceiling had fallen in, and the only car visible was a white Ford, one of its doors ripped from its hinges, entirely crushed except for its hood.
—
Armando Ledezma,
New Yorker,
30 June 2026
Verb
So many interesting character choices were in play during that battle, and so many different consequences hinged upon its outcome.
—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Lasting change hinges less on what any coach does or says — publicly or privately.
—
Paul Tenorio,
New York Times,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hinge
Cite this Entry
“Hinge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hinge. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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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