Hanging: meaning, definitions and examples

Refers to something that is attached at the top and left to hang down freely. Often used for objects like pictures, clothes, or decorations.

• She hung the picture on the wall
• The clothes are hanging in the closet

Refers to something that is temporarily prevented from continuing or is held in a hanging position. Often used in technical, legal, or formal contexts.

• The suspension of the project was a big setback
• The suspension bridge swayed in the wind

Implies that something is hanging loosely and swinging freely. It suggests a slight, often unsteady motion.

• The earrings were dangling from her ears
• The keys were dangling from his hand

When used twice, it could imply a reiteration for emphasis but generally aligns with the first definition provided. In context, it can denote either legal or illegal hanging deaths.

• The movie vividly illustrated the horror of repeated hangings in the old west.

The act of carrying out a death sentence as a form of legal punishment. This can involve various methods such as lethal injection, electric chair, firing squad, or hanging. It’s a formal and legally sanctioned procedure.

• The prisoner awaited his execution in a maximum-security cell.
• Execution by lethal injection is still practiced in some states.

Refers to an illegal and extrajudicial killing by a mob, often motivated by racial prejudice or community vengeance. It usually carries a strong negative connotation and is associated with historical acts of racial violence.

• The history of the town was marred by a tragic lynching that occurred in the early 1900s.
• Lynching represents a dark period in the history of racial injustice.

Typically used when referring to a piece of art or fabric that is suspended on a wall or from the ceiling, often for display purposes.

• She admired the intricate hanging on the wall.
• The museum showcased an ancient hanging in the main hall.

Specifically refers to a large fabric work of art that is usually woven and is often used to depict a scene or pattern. Tapestries are typically hung on walls.

• The medieval tapestry depicted a famous battle.
• She purchased a beautiful tapestry to hang above the fireplace.

General term used to describe an object or an arrangement used to make a space look more attractive. Can be used for holidays, events, or everyday enhancements.

• They added some holiday decorations to the living room.
• The party decorations were colorful and festive.