hang·out
ˈhaŋ-ˌau̇t 
: a favorite place for spending time
also
: a place frequented for entertainment or for socializing
hung out; hanging out; hangs out
1
intransitive
: to protrude and droop
a dog with its tongue hanging out
2
intransitive
informal
: to spend time idly or in relaxing or socializing
just hanging out by the pool
My mother told me not to hang out in bars because the sort of people I would meet there were the sort of people who hang out in bars.—
Calvin Trillin
Calvin TrillinTraditionally, most owners [of sports teams] are rich egomaniacs eager to hang out with athletes and get their names in the paper.—George Vecsey
George Vecsey3
transitive
: to display (something) outside as an announcement to the public
hang out a sign/banner
—used chiefly in the phrase hang out a/one's shingle in the figurative sense "to start a business, begin working professionally"
Publishing was not as complicated a business … when young Alfred Knopf hung out his shingle nearly 70 years ago.—John F. Baker
John F. BakerBack then big L.A. law firms rarely hired Jews … . So Sterling hung out a shingle in Boyle Heights and became a tireless advocate for his old neighbors, handling everything from divorces to personal injury cases.—Franz Lidz
Franz LidzExamples of hangout in a Sentence
Noun
The park was their favorite hangout.
a favorite hangout of senior citizens is the local community center
Recent Examples on the Web
Sunny Hubler, Charlotte Observer, 16 June 2025
The medium size is convenient enough to take on the go for camping, a beach day, or a backyard hangout yet large enough to cook enough food for a large family.
—Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 June 2025
Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 16 June 2025
Others are more tickled by his celebrity status and seem eager to hang out with him.
—Stephen Farber, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hangout
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Noun
The Bavarian House was a popular hangout with an emphasis on German fare.
—Sunny Hubler, Charlotte Observer, 16 June 2025
The medium size is convenient enough to take on the go for camping, a beach day, or a backyard hangout yet large enough to cook enough food for a large family.
—Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 June 2025
Verb
After the appointment, the bride didn't want to hang out with the bridesmaid, which was again out of character for her.
—Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 16 June 2025
Others are more tickled by his celebrity status and seem eager to hang out with him.
—Stephen Farber, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hangout
Cite this Entry
“Hangout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hangout. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hangout
noun
hang·out
ˈhaŋ-ˌau̇t
: a favorite place for spending time
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