hanging

[ hang-ing ]

noun

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.

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

/ 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

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 Words From

• hanging·ly adverb
• un·hanging adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hanging¹

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

Example Sentences

It features 3 moveable metal hooks for hanging headphones, and a fabric bag to store items like folders, notebooks, or pens.

From Popular-Science

We also appreciate the hole for quick hanging in your office or workshop.

From Popular-Science

Wall hangings are a nice addition offering warmth, texture, and pattern for all areas of your home.

From Popular-Science

Before any batwings get naked, Boublil trains her big brown bats to catch a hanging mealworm.

From Science News For Students

The Dprodo features two utility drawers for small electronics and office supplies, and one file drawer with adjustable hanging bar to support either letter or legal sized files.

From Popular-Science

Some “hanging judges” have handed down hundreds of death sentences at a time.

From The Daily Beast

One is forced to ask, what on earth was Andrew doing hanging out with scantily clad teenagers?

From The Daily Beast

The first day of Liberty, I was hanging around waiting for Ford to come in.

From The Daily Beast

I went to his joint once, back when I was first hanging out in New York, doing plays.

From The Daily Beast

On Thursday night, Brinsley and this friend were hanging together.

From The Daily Beast

The dog stood with hanging head and tail, as if ashamed he had let so many of his enemies get away unharmed.

From Project Gutenberg

The latter went immediately to look for his wife, and found her hidden in an attic, hanging to a beam.

From Project Gutenberg

Her eyes were not nearly as soft as they had been, while she picked up the hanging folds of pink cloth, and went on.

From Project Gutenberg

She had been walking alone with her arms hanging limp, letting her white skirts trail along the dewy path.

From Project Gutenberg

Besides, there is always a bunch of bananas hanging inside the house, and he has sugar-cane in abundance.

From Project Gutenberg