hinge

American  

[hinj] / hɪndʒ /

noun

• hinges
  plural

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)
• hinged
  adjective
• hingeless
  adjective
• hingelike
  adjective
• well-hinged
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• hinges
  plural

Participles

• hinging
  present
• hinged
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• hinge
  simple
• hinges
  simple
• have hinged
  perfect
• has hinged
  perfect
• am hinging
  progressive
• are hinging
  progressive
• is hinging
  progressive
• have been hinging
  perfect progressive
• has been hinging
  perfect progressive

Past

• hinged
  simple
• had hinged
  perfect
• was hinging
  progressive
• were hinging
  progressive
• had been hinging
  perfect progressive

Future

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

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Etymology

Origin of hinge

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

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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

See Examples For:

hinge hinges hinged hinging

Back then, it was also often about critiquing Black art for Black art’s sake and its possibilities, when today critical discussions seem to urgently hinge on Black art for the sake of its preservation.

From Salon ● Oct. 19, 2026

Android competitors offer larger inner display areas, but Apple focuses heavily on the quality of the hinge and concealing the crease where the phone folds rather than sheer screen real estate, analysts say.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

"In the case of the Green Party motion, compliance with the Equality Act is likely to hinge on the practical effects of the motion," the spokesperson added.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

Those sales hinge on GEO Group’s ability to continue managing those facilities under long-term contracts, the company wrote.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2026

Billy made a noise like a small, rusty hinge.

From "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut

Still, everything hinges on technical execution and timing: each quantum company in Morgan Stanley’s coverage has a milestone set for 2027, with fault-tolerant systems expected in 2029 or 2030 per company roadmaps.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026

Climaxing in a tense court case that hinges on what constitutes a slap, “Fjord” explores clashing cultures and mutual distrust, leaving us unsure how to feel.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

While the circumstances are very different, Norris' supporters also argue that his case hinges on disputed interpretations of medical evidence.

From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2026

The growing popularity of these products hinges on a tantalizing hook: bond-like yield payments that may, in some cases, exceed 15% as a target.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026

We heard the thud of a bolt drawn back, the screech of hinges.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Weinstein’s conviction hinged on an account from an Italian model and actor identified in court as Jane Doe 1.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2026

Others suggested their vote hinged on the anecdotes of tumor shrinkage presented by experts and patients who spoke during the meeting.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026

This was also the argument that her appeal hinged on.

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

With a preliminary memorandum of understanding triggering a 60-day period for negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, the health of the global economy is no longer hinged on price swings, they added.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 26, 2026

Next to the boiler was a pair of soapstone washtubs with a hinged wooden cover.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

Barclays economists think the latest rally has raised the bar for further yen appreciation, with the next big catalyst hinging on the BOJ delivering on perceived hawkish signals.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 7, 2026

But the key point where these arcs intersect is pretty flimsy, hinging on convincing us that Grace, the greatest guy in the universe, has a personality defect that we don’t believe.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 18, 2026

“The whole point is that you get to try something that you’ve always wanted to try, and your entire survival is not hinging on it,” Moriarity said.

From MarketWatch ● Mar. 14, 2026

Celtic blew a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Bologna and leave their qualification hopes hinging on next week's final round of games as arch-rivals Rangers bowed out despite a first win of the competition.

From Barron's ● Jan. 22, 2026

The Chancellor leans over her, hinging rigidly at her waist like a stick bug.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

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Related Words

• depend
• revolve around

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