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
Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 23 Feb. 2025
Introduce a hinge into your life with our favorite folding smartphones.
—Christopher Null, WIRED, 17 Feb. 2025
Saugat Bolakhe, WIRED, 5 Mar. 2025
An agent or broker’s success often hinges not only on the ability to close deals but also on the ability to provide value that extends beyond the transaction.
—David Crown, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hinge
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Noun
When folded out across its dual hinges, a 10.2-inch tablet display at 2,232 x 3,184 pixels is presented.
—Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 23 Feb. 2025
Introduce a hinge into your life with our favorite folding smartphones.
—Christopher Null, WIRED, 17 Feb. 2025
Verb
Across the top of its wings, Wissa and her team had carefully attached three rows of thin, flexible plastic flaps, hinged with tape.
—Saugat Bolakhe, WIRED, 5 Mar. 2025
An agent or broker’s success often hinges not only on the ability to close deals but also on the ability to provide value that extends beyond the transaction.
—David Crown, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hinge
Cite this Entry
“Hinge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hinge. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
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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