hanging

1 of 2

adjective

hang·​ing ˈhaŋ-iŋ 

1

: situated or lying on steeply sloping ground

2

a

: jutting out : overhanging

a hanging rock

b

: supported only by the wall on one side

a hanging staircase

3

archaic : downcast in appearance

4

: adapted for sustaining a hanging object

5

: deserving, likely to cause, or prone to inflict death by hanging

hanging

2 of 2

noun

1

: an execution by strangling or breaking the neck by a suspended noose

2

: something hung: such as

a

: curtain

b

: a covering (such as a tapestry) for a wall

3

: a downward slope : declivity

Synonyms

Adjective

• bowed
• bowing
• declined
• declining
• descendant
• descendent
• descending
• drooping
• droopy
• hung
• inclining
• nodding
• pendulous
• sagging
• stooping
• weeping

Noun

• declension
• decline
• declivity
• descent
• dip
• downgrade
• downhill
• fall
• hang

Examples of hanging in a Sentence

Adjective

hanging branches blocked our way for a good part of the trail

light from a hanging chandelier filled the great hall

Noun

The hanging was scheduled for 3 o'clock.

He was sentenced to death by hanging.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The neutral material keeps it from looking like an eye sore and can be expanded for more hanging space as needed. —Micaela Arnett, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2024

This playful hanging figure will give your trick-or-treaters and guests a laugh instead of a fright. —Wendy Vazquez, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2023

Noun

Many of the ghostly tales stem from claims of tragic deaths like drownings, hangings, murders and freak accidents. —Alayna Alvarez, Axios, 27 Oct. 2024

But Chimp Crazy leaves this conflict hanging, content to use Haddix’s narrative-spinning to illustrate her self-mythologizing instead of unpacking the mythology itself. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hanging

• hanging indention
• hanging lobster claw
• low-hanging fruit

Kids Definition

hanging

1 of 2 noun

hang·​ing

ˈhaŋ-iŋ

1

: an execution by strangling or breaking the neck by a suspended noose

2

: something hung (as a curtain or tapestry)

—usually used in plural

hanging

2 of 2 adjective

1

: located on steeply sloping ground

hanging gardens

2

a

: sticking out

hanging rocks

b

: supported only by the wall on one side

a hanging staircase

3

: suitable for holding a hanging object

4

: punishable by hanging

a hanging offense