hinge

[ hinj ]

noun

1. a jointed device or flexible piece on which a door, gate, shutter, lid, or other attached part turns, swings, or moves.
2. a natural anatomical joint at which motion occurs around a transverse axis, as that of the knee or a bivalve shell.
3. that on which something is based or depends; pivotal consideration or factor.
4. Also called mount. Philately. a gummed sticker for affixing a stamp to a page of an album, so folded as to form a hinge, allowing the stamp to be raised to reveal the text beneath.

verb (used without object)

, hinged, hing·ing.

1. to be dependent or contingent on, or as if on, a hinge (usually followed by on or upon ):

   Everything hinges on his decision.

   Synonyms: depend, pivot, swing, rest

verb (used with object)

, hinged, hing·ing.

1. to furnish with or attach by a hinge or hinges.
2. to attach as if by a hinge.
3. to make or consider as dependent upon; predicate:

   He hinged his action on future sales.

hinge

/ hɪndʒ /

noun

1. a device for holding together two parts such that one can swing relative to the other, typically having two interlocking metal leaves held by a pin about which they pivot
2. anatomy a type of joint, such as the knee joint, that moves only backwards and forwards; a joint that functions in only one plane Technical nameginglymus
3. a similar structure in invertebrate animals, such as the joint between the two halves of a bivalve shell
4. something on which events, opinions, etc, turn
5. Also calledmount philately a small thin transparent strip of gummed paper for affixing a stamp to a page

verb

1. tr to attach or fit a hinge to (something)
2. intr; usually foll by on or upon to depend (on)
3. intr to hang or turn on or as if on a hinge

Derived Forms

• hinged, adjective
• ˈhingeless, adjective
• ˈhingeˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• hingeless adjective
• hingelike adjective
• re·hinge verb (used with object) rehinged rehinging
• well-hinged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hinge¹

1250–1300; Middle English henge; cognate with Low German heng ( e ), Middle Dutch henge hinge; akin to hang

Word History and Origins

Origin of hinge¹

C13: probably of Germanic origin; compare Middle Dutch henge; see hang

Example Sentences

India’s mass immunisation plan for Covid-19 hinges on some of the lowest-paid workers in its healthcare system.

From Quartz

Irrespective of the type of business you run, the future growth of your business hinges on one thing – your customer acquisition strategy.

From Search Engine Watch

As an example, he contrasted a door hinge and a hinge of another sort—the ear of a house pet.

From Fortune

The health of our local economy hinges on the health of San Diegans.

From Voice of San Diego

The legality of this sale hinges on whether the home was purchased at fair market value.

From ProPublica

Complete male reproductive independence would also hinge on artificial womb technology, which also made headlines in 2014.

From The Daily Beast

Race relations in Saint Louis could hinge on the outcome of this announcement.

From The Daily Beast

The game is almost certain to hinge on how well Manning and his receivers fare against Sherman and company.

From The Daily Beast

The jokes hinge on stereotypes: black people like curvy women and know how to get down on a dance floor.

From The Daily Beast

Much will hinge on what happens in 2014, in the coming crisis negotiations and then in the elections.

From The Daily Beast

Never did events of the utmost magnitude hinge on incidents so trivial to the community at large.

From Project Gutenberg

Laidlaw threw his heavy bulk against the door, burst lock and hinge, and sent it flat on the garret floor.

From Project Gutenberg

The mast is on a hinge, so that it can turn down backward, and lie along flat on the deck of the boat.

From Project Gutenberg

And that told me a good many things, as it was the hand that had rested against the upper hinge of the door.

From Project Gutenberg

A hinge was made from heavy elastic bands to allow for two dozen cards in the frame at one time.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• depend
• revolve around