hinge
noun
\ ˈhinj
\
\
Definition of hinge
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: 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
hinge
verb
hinged;
hinging
Definition of hinge (Entry 2 of 2)
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
: to attach by or furnish with hinges
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Examples of hinge in a Sentence
Verb
the outcome of the game hinged on a single playRecent Examples on the Web: Noun
All of our goals in housing retention service hinge on building insight. — Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, "From the street to the mayor’s office: Assessing L.A.'s new initiative on homelessness," 1 Sep. 2019 But as Goodell acknowledged, the success of Gordon’s return to football hinges on Gordon’s ability to stay sober, which has been a major challenge for him. — Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, "After reinstatement, Patriots’ Josh Gordon faces long odds," 18 Aug. 2019 And whether that possibility exists hinges on the compatibility of two very different ways of thinking about physics. — Quanta Magazine, "In Quantum Games, There’s No Way to Play the Odds," 1 Apr. 2019 Some reviewers reported that the hinges had failed. — Reed Albergotti, Houston Chronicle, "Samsung resurrects its Galaxy Fold phone, to ship in September," 24 July 2019 Deal said his goal is to assign the body cameras as soon as possible but a timeline for implementation hinges on developing a usage policy and training police officers and staff. — Lisa Maria Garza, orlandosentinel.com, "Body cameras proposed for Winter Park police in wake of widespread adoption among law enforcement agencies," 12 July 2019 To what degree the Sox can improve hinges on the July 31 trade deadline, their last chance to improve the pitching staff by either adding a relief pitcher or obtaining a reliable starting pitcher for the vacant fifth spot. — Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, "Alex Cora confident Red Sox ‘will play better’ in second half," 11 July 2019 Instead, some models developed issues after mere days of use: Bloomberg’s test unit failed to function properly after a plastic layer covering the screen was removed, and a small tear developed at the top of the hinge where the gadget opened. — latimes.com, "Samsung completes folding phone redesign after screen failures," 4 July 2019 What bogged us down was the costly sociology experiment, built on a fiction that never had public support, that our own liberty and security hinges on the promotion of freedom in the Muslim-majority countries where jihadism thrives. — Andrew C. Mccarthy, National Review, "For Regime Change in Iran," 29 June 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
While many top teams aren't expected to be challenged in their openers, others, like Oregon and Auburn, have a lot already hinging on game one. — The Si Staff, SI.com, "College Football Week 1 Picks: Who Has the Edge on Opening Weekend?," 29 Aug. 2019 Ward was also skeptical, pointing out that the study authors’ hypothesis hinged on an incomplete bone fragment. — Ben Guarino, Anchorage Daily News, "This newfound 3.8-million-year-old skull called ‘iconic’ in human evolution," 29 Aug. 2019 The key complaints in the past: Pre-K provider ratings have hinged on a test of early literacy skills given to 5-year-olds months after their pre-K year ended. — Leslie Postal, orlandosentinel.com, "Florida pre-K: State changes rule to judge readiness for kindergarten," 23 Aug. 2019 That, Syed’s current counsel argues, is a big mistake, especially since the state’s case hinged on the jury buying the timeline prosecutors presented. — Ephrat Livni, Quartz, "The US Supreme Court is faced with the podcast-popular case of Adnan Syed," 22 Aug. 2019 That claim also hinged on whether Raimondo and Sweitzer are business associates. — Edward Fitzpatrick, BostonGlobe.com, "State Ethics Commission to investigate complaint against Governor Raimondo," 20 Aug. 2019 The trial’s outcome hinged on two competing timelines of events on Jan. 11, 1999, the day Belinda was found shot to death in her master bedroom closet. — Samantha Ketterer, Houston Chronicle, "David Temple found guilty in murder retrial," 6 Aug. 2019 Vasquez said the Trump administration's recent move to limit access to bump stock devices hinged on changing a legal definition. — Uriel J. Garcia, USA TODAY, "The guns used to kill dozens in Dayton and El Paso were legal — high-capacity options included," 5 Aug. 2019 The hypothetical timeline discussion hinged on the 2020 presidential election because that is when the voter turnout is typically highest. — Mary Grace Keller, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Carroll County commissioners put charter government discussion on hold, leaving issue off 2020 ballot," 25 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hinge.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for hinge
hinge
noun
English Language Learners Definition of hinge
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a usually metal piece that attaches a door, gate, or cover to something and allows it to open and close
hinge
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of hinge (Entry 2 of 2)
: to attach (a door, gate, or cover) by hinges
See the full definition for hinge in the English Language Learners Dictionary
hinge
noun
\ ˈhinj
\
\
Kids Definition of hinge
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a jointed piece on which a door, gate, or lid turns or swings
hinge
verb
hinged;
hinging
Kids Definition of hinge (Entry 2 of 2)
: to attach by or provide with hinges
hinge on
: to be determined or decided by
Our plans hinge on the weather.