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⇱ HANG Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

Dictionary Definition
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transitive verb

1
a
: to fasten to some elevated point without support from below : suspend
hang a picture on the wall
b
: to suspend by the neck until dead β€”often hanged in the past tense β€”often used as a mild oath
I'll be hanged
c
: to fasten so as to allow free motion within given limits upon a point of suspension
hang a door
d
: to adjust the hem of (a skirt) so as to hang evenly and at a proper height
2
: to furnish with hanging decorations (such as flags or bunting)
Hang the windows with velvet curtains.
a room hung with streamers
3
: to hold or bear in a suspended or inclined manner
hung his head in shame
4
: to apply to a wall
hang wallpaper
5
: to display (pictures) in a gallery
6
baseball : to throw (a pitch, such as a curveball) so that it fails to break properly
7
: to make (a turn) especially while driving
hang a right
hung a quick U-turnβ€”πŸ‘ Image
Tom Clancy
8
: base, found
something to hang our hopes on

intransitive verb

1
a
: to remain suspended or fastened to some point above without support from below : dangle
b
: to die by being suspended by the neck β€”often hanged in the past tense
He hanged for his crimes.
c
: to be connected as something relevant or related
… thereby hangs a tale β€¦β€”πŸ‘ Image
William Shakespeare
2
: to hover or remain stationary in the air
clouds hanging low overhead
3
: linger, persist
The thought hung in her mind for days.
4
: to be imminent : impend
doom hung over the nation
5
: to fall or droop from a usually tense or taut position
let the reins hang loose on the horse's back
Their mouths hung open in disbelief.
6
: depend sense 1a
The election hangs on one vote.
7
a(1)
: to take hold for support : cling
She hung on my arm.
(2)
: to keep persistent contact
dogs hung to the trail
(3)
: to maintain or continue holding a position
hang behind
(4)
: to stay even : keep up β€”usually used with with
trying to hang with the leader
b
: to be burdensome or oppressive
Time hangs on his hands.
8
: to be uncertain or in suspense
The decision is still hanging.
9
: to lean, incline, or jut over or downward
a rocky cliff that hangs overhead
10
: to be in a state of rapt attention
hung on her every word
11
: to fit or fall from the figure in easy lines
The coat hangs loosely.
12
informal : to pass time idly or in relaxing or socializing : hang around, hang out
hanging with friends
hanging at the beach
Off the track, Jones was all but invisible in Sydney. She prefers hanging with her husband … and a small inner circle of friends.β€”πŸ‘ Image
Mark Starr
I had the chance to hang with Taibbi recently after he spoke to a Denver audience about his new book β€¦β€”πŸ‘ Image
David Sirota
13
of a thrown ball : to fail to break or drop as intended
πŸ‘ Image
Hanged vs. Hung: Usage Guide

The past tense of hang in almost all situations is hung.

art hung on the walls
the cafΓ© where writers hung out

The form hanged tends to be preferred for executions real and mock.

a prisoner sentenced to be hanged
hanged in effigy

However hung is also used.

sentenced to be hung
hung in effigy

hang

2 of 2

noun

1
: the manner in which a thing is poised when suspended from above without support from below : the way in which a thing hangs (see hang entry 1)
the hang of a skirt
2
: declivity, slope
also : droop
the hang of his lower lip
3
: facility with or an understanding of something
can't get the hang of this
4
: a hesitation or slackening in motion or in a course
a marked hang of the oar in the air before it dipped
see also:

Synonyms of hang

Examples of hang in a Sentence

Verb He hung the painting on the wall. We hung paper lanterns from the trees. My grandmother used to hang the wash on a clothesline. A photograph of her family hangs on the wall. Several of her paintings are hanging in the Museum of Modern Art. Your coat is hanging in the closet. They plan to hang wallpaper in the hallway. He let his arm hang down into the water. They will hang him in the county jailhouse. He was hanged for his crimes. Noun the hang of a skirt proceeded carefully on snowshoes down the steep hang
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The lobby itself channels an open veranda (a nod to Charleston’s plethora of breeze-catching porches), with gauzy drapes, silent ceiling fans, and even a hanging swing. β€”πŸ‘ Image
CondΓ© Nast, CondΓ© Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026 But three pitches later, the lefty-swinging Pauley pulled a hanging sweeper into right field for a two-run double, putting Miami up, 5-4. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
That kind of flexibility leads to spontaneous nights where what started off as an intimate hang expands into an all-out party. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Sammy Loren, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026 The survey also reveals how consumers are taking steps to help extend the life of their clothes at home by hang drying, using the delicate cycle, treating stains and wearing and washing garments less. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hang

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

partly from Middle English hon, from Old English hōn, transitive verb; partly from Middle English hangen, from Old English hangian, intransitive verb & transitive verb; both akin to Old High German hāhan, transitive verb, to hang, hangΔ“n, intransitive verb β€” more at cunctation

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

circa 1797, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hang was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing hang

Rhymes for hang

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

β€œHang.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hang. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

1
a
: to fasten or be fastened to an elevated point without support from below : suspend, dangle
b
: to kill or be killed by hanging from a rope tied round the neck
sentenced to be hanged
c
: to fasten so as to allow free motion forward and backward
hang a door
2
: to furnish with hanging decorations (as pictures or curtains)
3
: droop entry 1 sense 1
hung my head in shame
4
: to fasten to a wall
hang wallpaper
5
: to display pictures in a gallery
6
: hover sense 1b
clouds hanging low overhead
7
: to stay steadily
8
: depend sense 1
election hangs on one vote
9
a
: to take hold for support : cling
the children hung on his arm
b
: to be hard to bear
worry hung on his mind
10
: to be uncertain
the decision is still hanging
11
: to be in a state of close attention
hung on my every word
12
informal : to pass time idly especially by relaxing or socializing β€”often used with around or out
hung out with friends

hang

2 of 2 noun
1
: the manner in which a thing hangs
the hang of a skirt
2
a
: meaning entry 1 sense 1b
the hang of an argument
b
: a special method : knack
get the hang of driving

Legal Definition

hang

verb
hung also hanged; hanging

transitive verb

: to suspend by the neck until dead especially as a form of execution β€”often hanged in the past tense

intransitive verb

1
: to die by hanging β€”often hanged in the past tense
he hanged for his crimes
2
: to be unable to reach a decision or verdict
the jury hung on 19 counts against [him]β€”πŸ‘ Image
Randall Samborn

More from Merriam-Webster on hang

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