hanging Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
    wall hanging.
    • the cold castle walls were covered with hangings
  2. noun a form of capital punishment; victim is suspended by the neck from a gallows or gibbet until dead
    • in those days the hanging of criminals was a public entertainment
  3. noun the act of suspending something (hanging it from above so it moves freely)
    dangling; suspension.
    • there was a small ceremony for the hanging of the portrait
  4. verb be suspended or hanging
    hang.
    • The flag hung on the wall
  5. verb cause to be hanging or suspended
    hang; hang up.
    • Hang that picture on the wall
  6. verb kill by hanging
    string up; hang.
    • The murderer was hanged on Friday
  7. verb let drop or droop
    hang.
    • Hang one's head in shame
  8. verb fall or flow in a certain way
    flow; hang; fall.
    • This dress hangs well
    • Her long black hair flowed down her back
  9. verb be menacing, burdensome, or oppressive
    hang.
    • This worry hangs on my mind
    • The cloud of suspicion hangs over her
  10. verb give heed (to)
    advert; hang; give ear; attend; pay heed.
    • The children in the audience attended the recital quietly
    • She hung on his every word
    • They attended to everything he said
  11. verb be suspended or poised
    hang.
    • Heavy fog hung over the valley
  12. verb hold on tightly or tenaciously
    hang; cling.
    • hang on to your father's hands
    • The child clung to his mother's apron
  13. verb be exhibited
    hang.
    • Picasso hangs in this new wing of the museum
  14. verb prevent from reaching a verdict, of a jury
    hang.
  15. verb decorate or furnish with something suspended
    hang.
    • Hang wallpaper
  16. verb be placed in position as by a hinge
    hang.
    • This cabinet door doesn't hang right!
  17. verb place in position as by a hinge so as to allow free movement in one direction
    hang.
    • hang a door
  18. verb suspend (meat) in order to get a gamey taste
    hang.
    • hang the venison for a few days

WordNet

Hang"ing adjective
Definitions
  1. Requiring, deserving, or foreboding death by the halter. "What a hanging face!" Dryden.
  2. Suspended from above; pendent; as, hanging shelves.
  3. Adapted for sustaining a hanging object; as, the hanging post of a gate, the post which holds the hinges.
Hang"ing noun
Definitions
  1. The act of suspending anything; the state of being suspended.
  2. Death by suspension; execution by a halter.
  3. That which is hung as lining or drapery for the walls of a room, as tapestry, paper, etc., or to cover or drape a door or window; -- used chiefly in the plural.
    Nor purple hangings clothe the palace walls. Dryden.

Webster 1913