hinge

1 of 2

noun

ˈhinj 

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

Illustration of hinge

• hinge 1a

hinge

2 of 2

verb

hinged; hinging

intransitive verb

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

… we pulled within feet of a 12-foot crocodile, his huge jaw hinging open in warning to reveal a toothy grin.

—Andrea Bartz

2

: to be contingent on a single consideration or point

—used with on or upon

the prosecution's case hinges on the DNA evidence

transitive verb

: to attach by or furnish with hinges

Synonyms

Verb

• depend

Examples of hinge in a Sentence

Verb

the outcome of the game hinged on a single play

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The rapper, who’d hoped in vain that David would sign him and launch him, is the crucial hinge not only in the movie’s plot but in Lee’s philosophical approach to it. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2025

It is adorned with 35 Swarovski crystals, including one giant stone with 26 facets on the hinge. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 6 Aug. 2025

Verb

For countless generations, survival hinged not just on fire and shelter, but on the body’s ability to anticipate and withstand the freeze. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025

Take big, wide steps so that the lunge hinges at the hip joint rather than the knee joint. —Jakob Roze, Health, 18 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English heng; akin to Middle Dutch henge hook, Old English hangian to hang

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1719, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing hinge

• butt hinge
• hinge joint
• hinge on
• piano hinge

Rhymes for hinge

• binge
• cringe
• fringe
• singe
• tinge
• twinge
• impinge
• infringe
• syringe

Kids Definition

hinge

1 of 2 noun

ˈhinj 

1

: 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