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
Ben Sin, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
From painting over light switches and hinges to stapling boards over holes, there are even more extreme examples, like painted over food, and even a grenade found covered up with white paint.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Success hinges not just on raw talent but on the environment in which that talent is nurtured.
—Rhett Power, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hinge
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Noun
There are six speakers in the MacBook Air, which are hidden in seams between the body and lid hinge.
—Ben Sin, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
From painting over light switches and hinges to stapling boards over holes, there are even more extreme examples, like painted over food, and even a grenade found covered up with white paint.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
Many scientists’ careers hinge heavily on NSF, NIH and other federal funding.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Success hinges not just on raw talent but on the environment in which that talent is nurtured.
—Rhett Power, Rolling Stone, 12 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 22 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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