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)

hinged, hinging

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)

hinged, hinging

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

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

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

Their fate could hinge on a game against Leeds on the final day, which promises to be a nerve-wracking affair for clubs at both ends of the table.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

“What’s the worst, most vile thing a filmmaker could conjure up to hinge an entire movie on?”

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

Whether the rally continues through the holiday-shortened week may hinge on President Donald Trump’s speech, scheduled for 9 p.m.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

But the outcome could hinge on a swift de-escalation of Mideast tensions, leading to a drop in crude-oil prices.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 24, 2026

Doctor Copeland took off his spectacles and rebound a wire around a broken hinge.

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers

Related Words

• depend
• revolve around