handheld

adjective

hand·​held ˈhan(d)-ˌheld 

-ˈheld

: held in the hand

especially : designed to be operated while being held in the hand

handheld computers

handheld

ˈhan(d)-ˌheld 

noun

Examples of handheld in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The cafeteria-style trays and displays here are loaded with red-bean buns, bacon epi breads and other sweet and savory handheld snacks that’d fit right in at a park function. — Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 21 July 2026

Many of Shark’s upright and stick vacuums are equipped with HEPA filters, while their robotic and handheld units are usually not (though the ones featured above do). — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026

That said, this probably won’t be even faintly legible on a home entertainment system, let alone the handheld gadgets that kids like the ones seen here prefer to watch entertainment on these days. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 17 July 2026

Content creators will appreciate the dual mounting points, wide range of color profiles, stabilized sensor and digital stabilization for handheld use, and 4K120 slow motion. — Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 17 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for handheld

• barrelled
• beheld
• bushveld
• chiselled
• compelled
• dispelled
• excelled
• expelled
• impelled
• marvelled
• misspelled
• modelled

Kids Definition

handheld

adjective

hand·​held -ˌheld 

: held in the hand

especially : designed to be used while being held in the hand

a handheld computer

handheld noun