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handheld

adjective

hand·​held ˈhan(d)-ˌheld How to pronounce handheld (audio)
-ˈheld
: held in the hand
especially : designed to be operated while being held in the hand
handheld computers
handheld noun

Examples of handheld 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.
The visual language of the film—marked by claustrophobic shots, handheld closeups, and jump cuts—mirrors Radha’s agitation. The New Yorker, New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2025 This sense of visual jazz can be felt in scenes where handheld shooting was embraced, as in the film’s flashback scene in which Armando and his wife Fátima find themselves at odds with rising fascism during a fateful dinner. Marya E. Gates, IndieWire, 25 Nov. 2025 Vacuum upholstery with a handheld vacuum or vacuum wand to capture as much of the dust and solids as possible. Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 25 Nov. 2025 Laduora’s handheld device harnesses the power of red LED light, microcurrent, heat therapy, and vibrational massage in a daily, five-minute treatment. Brianna Peters, Vogue, 24 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for handheld

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of handheld was in 1891

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Handheld.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handheld. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

handheld

adjective
hand·​held -ˌheld How to pronounce handheld (audio)
: held in the hand
especially : designed to be used while being held in the hand
a handheld computer
handheld noun

More from Merriam-Webster on handheld

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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