hanger

noun

hang·​er ˈhaŋ-ər 

1

: one that hangs or causes to be hung or hanged

2

: something that hangs, overhangs, or is suspended: such as

a

: a decorative strip of cloth

b

: a small sword formerly used by seamen

c

chiefly British : a small wood on steeply sloping land

3

: a device by which or to which something is hung or hangs: such as

a

: a strap on a sword belt by which a sword or dagger can be suspended

b

: a loop by which a garment is hung up

c

: a device that fits inside or around a garment for hanging from a hook or rod

Examples of hanger in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Jordon Hudson: Bill Belichick's girlfriend is just the latest in a long line of significant others, parents, siblings, friends and hangers on who’ve had outsized roles and influence in the careers of sports figures. —Jim Reineking, USA Today, 6 May 2025

Velvet hangers, $9.98 at Walmart for a pack of 30, are another great alternative for storing clothes. —Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 18 Apr. 2025

Other applications include rigging an adjustable hanger, such as for dangling a pot over a fire or a bucket of water for a makeshift shower. —Amelia Arvesen, Outside Online, 4 Mar. 2025

For hotels and Airbnbs, several users shared tips such as using clothing hanger clips to help keep curtains shut tightly, which keeps the sunlight or streetlights out of the room. —Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hanger

• cliff-hanger
• clothes hanger
• coat hanger
• hanger-on
• hanger steak

Rhymes for hanger

• ganger
• hangar

Video

Is It 'Hanger' or 'Hangar'?

How to remember which is which

Kids Definition

hanger

noun

hang·​er ˈhaŋ-ər 

1

: one that hangs

2

: a device by which something hangs

especially : a device for hanging a garment from a hook or rod