hinge

American  

[hinj] / hɪndʒ /

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.

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verb (used without object)

hinges, present (3rd person singular) hinged, past participle, past hinging present participle

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

   Everything hinges on his decision.

   Synonyms:

   depend, pivot, swing, rest

verb (used with object)

hinges, present (3rd person singular) hinged, past participle, past hinging present participle

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 British  

/ 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. Technical name: ginglymus.  anatomy a type of joint, such as the knee joint, that moves only backwards and forwards; a joint that functions in only one plane

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 called: mount.  philately a small thin transparent strip of gummed paper for affixing a stamp to a page

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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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• rehinge
  verb (used with object)
• hingeless
  adjective
• hinged
  adjective
• well-hinged
  adjective
• hingelike
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has hinged
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have hinged
  perfect
• am hinging
  progressive 1st person singular
• has been hinging
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• hinging
  participle
• hinges
  singular 3rd person
• are hinging
  progressive
• is hinging
  progressive 3rd person singular
• have been hinging
  perfect progressive

Past

• had hinged
  perfect
• was hinging
  progressive singular
• were hinging
  progressive plural
• hinged
  simple
• had been hinging
  perfect progressive
• hinged
  participle

Future

• will hinge
  simple
• will have hinged
  perfect
• will have been hinging
  perfect progressive
• will be hinging
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of hinge

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

Explanation

A hinge is a type of joint that attaches two things together while allowing for limited movement. A door hinge fastens the door to the wall and lets the door swing open. A hinge is a joint that holds two pieces of something together while allowing one piece to move in a swinging motion. When used as a verb, hinge can mean "to attach a hinge." Hinge can also be used to indicate that one key event depends on another, as in “The athlete’s future with the team will hinge on his performance at tonight’s game” or “The success of this product hinges on how many units are sold this month.”

Example Sentences

Without test scores, admissions would hinge on inflated grades, extracurricular activities and essays.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

That is especially problematic for Mexico, which has struggled to attract foreign investors and whose economic growth prospects hinge on that investment.

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

Over the next two defining games, survival may hinge on who holds their nerve.

From BBC • May 12, 2026

Allegations of reckless conduct in the suit largely hinge on a recently released California Highway Patrol report on the crash, which analyzed the crash site and vehicles in detail.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026

It has no latch or hinge, its lid kept in place by two ribbons, one black and one white, that are tied in careful knots.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

Related Words

• depend
• revolve around