hanging

American  

[hang-ing] / ˈhæŋ ɪŋ /

noun

• hangings
  plural

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.

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

   2. ( as modifier )

      a hanging offence

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

3. the act of a person or thing that hangs

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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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unhanging
  adjective
• hangingly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• hangings
  plural

Etymology

Origin of hanging

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hanging hangings

Earl Spencer's emotional and defiant speech at her funeral added to that cloud of grievance hanging over Diana's sudden death.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

“How are women and children going to feel going there with groups of men hanging around?”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026

The patron who returned the magazine, John, said it had been "hanging around" his house for decades, but he had no idea how it ended up in his home.

From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026

The Galaxy have been hanging on the edge of the MLS playoff chase for most of the summer, losing as often as they’ve won the past four weeks.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2026

I look at his little face, tongue hanging out as he whines softly and pulls on his lead in the direction of the girl.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

It does not, for example, permit wall hangings that don’t actually exist.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 3, 2026

Baker’s Indigenous and German heritage inform her three large abstract collage hangings, created using synthetic turf animated by acrylic paint, yarn and a variety of natural materials, including corn husk, willow, buffalo hide and buckskin.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 10, 2026

The bed, fitted with exquisite blue-and-white toile hangings, reflects the Washingtons’ taste.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 7, 2026

They identified eight skulls in the collection that could have been related to the 1900 hangings.

From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2023

The wall hangings were green with mildew, the mattress musty-smelling and sagging, the rushes old and brittle.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin