hand down

verb

handed down; handing down; hands down

transitive verb

1
: to transmit in succession (as from father to son)
2
: to make official formulation of and express (the opinion of a court)

Examples of hand down in a Sentence

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.
After Selna handed down the sentence, Avenatti seemed to signal to someone in the crowd that another legal action was coming. Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025 The Supreme Court handed down its landmark decision in New York Rifle Association v. Bruen nearly three years ago, but since then, pro-gun advocates have been hoping for the court to take up major cases pertaining to the Second Amendment. Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 8 June 2025 Alex’s defense team moved for a mistrial after the guilty verdicts were handed down, but the motion was quickly denied by the judge. Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 7 June 2025 Last week, the federal judicial body handed down a decision that Trump’s universal baseline tariffs and reciprocal duties on more than 90 countries across the globe were invalid. Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for hand down

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hand down was in 1651

Cite this Entry

“Hand down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hand%20down. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

hand down

verb
1
: to pass down from older to younger (as from parent to child)
2
: to form and express a judicial decision

Legal Definition

hand down

transitive verb
1
: to deliver (the decision or opinion of an appellate court) to the proper office of an inferior court
2
: to make an official formulation of and announce (the decision of a court)

More from Merriam-Webster on hand down

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