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
Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025
In both cases, success—or failure—hinges both on having the right data available to make good decisions, but also on how quickly and confidently the right decisions can be made with it.
—Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Jordan Rackie, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
But the success or otherwise of next season and beyond will hinge mainly on player recruitment, where another huge summer awaits.
—Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hinge
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Noun
The difference between a touch laptop and a 2-in-1 laptop is the 360-degree hinge.
—Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025
In both cases, success—or failure—hinges both on having the right data available to make good decisions, but also on how quickly and confidently the right decisions can be made with it.
—Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
In many ways, the relationship between employer and employee is one that hinges upon balance, too.
—Jordan Rackie, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
But the success or otherwise of next season and beyond will hinge mainly on player recruitment, where another huge summer awaits.
—Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 25 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 13 Apr. 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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