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Synonyms

hanging

American  
[hang-ing] / ˈhæŋ ɪŋ /

noun

  1. the act, an instance, or the form of capital punishment carried out by suspending one by the neck from a gallows, gibbet, or the like, until dead.

  2. Often hangings. something that hangs or is hung on the walls of a room, as a drapery or tapestry.

  3. a suspending or temporary attaching, as of a painting.

    a careless hanging of pictures.


adjective

  1. punishable by, deserving, or causing death by hanging.

    a hanging crime; a hanging offense.

  2. inclined to inflict death by hanging.

    a hanging jury.

  3. suspended; pendent; overhanging.

    a hanging cliff.

  4. situated on a steep slope or at a height.

    a hanging garden.

  5. directed downward.

    a hanging look.

  6. made, holding, or suitable for a hanging object.

hanging British  
/ ˈhæŋɪŋ /

noun

    1. the putting of a person to death by suspending the body by the neck from a noose

    2. ( as modifier )

      a hanging offence

  1. (often plural) a decorative textile such as a tapestry or drapery hung on a wall or over a window

  2. the act of a person or thing that hangs

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. not supported from below; suspended

  2. undecided; still under discussion

  3. inclining or projecting downwards; overhanging

  4. situated on a steep slope or in a high place

  5. (prenominal) given to issuing harsh sentences, esp death sentences

    a hanging judge

  6. informal  unpleasant

  7. chess See hanging pawn

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • hangingly adverb
  • unhanging adjective

Etymology

Origin of hanging

1250–1300; Middle English (noun, adj.), Old English hangande (adj.) See hang, -ing 1, -ing 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The cost of car parts and repairs has climbed as well, so hanging on to old vehicles comes with its own costs.

From The Wall Street Journal

“There’s still a caveat hanging over the door,” he added.

From MarketWatch

DeMond Chambliss used to run himself ragged with the small contracting business he owned in Columbus, Ohio: hanging drywall, chasing clients for payments and managing half a dozen employees.

From The Wall Street Journal

"We would ask people to be vigilant of anyone seen hanging around businesses or retail premises during the early hours of the morning."

From BBC

The background of the artwork echoes Van Gogh's Starry Night with two suns hanging in the sky that aim to represent the meeting of the two artists and their styles.

From BBC