hand

1 of 3

noun

ˈhand 

often attributive

1

a(1)

: the terminal part of the vertebrate forelimb when modified (as in humans) as a grasping organ : the body part at the end of the arm of a human, ape, or monkey

holding a pair of scissors in his hand

She put her hands over her eyes.

(2)

: the forelimb segment (such as the terminal section of a bird's wing) of a vertebrate higher than the fishes that corresponds to the hand irrespective of its form or functional specialization

b

: something resembling a hand: such as

(1)

: an indicator or pointer on a dial

the hands of a clock

(2)

: a character ☞ used to direct particular attention (as to a note or paragraph) : fist, index

(3)

: a cluster of bananas developed from a single flower group

(4)

: a branched rootstock of ginger

(5)

: a bunch of large leaves (as of tobacco) tied together usually with another leaf

c

: a part serving the function of or resembling a hand: such as

(1)

: the hind foot of an ape

(2)

: the chela of a crustacean

2

a

: personal possession

—usually used in plural

The documents fell into the hands of the enemy.

b

: control, supervision

—usually used in plural

left the matter in her hands

3

a

: one of two sides or aspects of an issue or argument

On the one hand we can appeal for peace, and on the other, declare war.

b

: side, direction

soldiers fighting on either hand

4

a

: assistance or aid especially involving physical effort

lend a hand

b

: participation, interest

had no hand in the decision

c

: a round of applause

Let's give them a big hand.

5

a

: skill, ability

tried her hand at sailing

b

: an instrumental part

had a hand in the victory

6

: a pledge especially of betrothal or bestowal in marriage

He asked for her hand in marriage.

7

a(1)

: the cards or pieces held by a player

studied her hand

(2)

: a player in a card game or board game

b

: a single round in a game

lost the first hand but won the next two

c

: the force or solidity of one's position (as in negotiations)

trying to strengthen their hand

8

a(1)

: a person employed at manual labor or general tasks

a ranch hand

(2)

: worker, employee

employed over a hundred hands

b

: a member of a ship's crew

All hands on deck!

c

: a person who performs or executes a particular work

two portraits by the same hand

d

: a person skilled in a particular action or pursuit

a great hand at carpentry

e

: a specialist or veteran in a usually designated activity or region

a Latin America hand

9

a

: style of execution : workmanship

the hand of a master

b

: handiwork, doings

the hand of vandals

c

: the feel of or tactile reaction to something (such as silk or leather)

10

a

: style of penmanship : handwriting

wrote in a fancy hand

b

: signature

11

: a unit of measure equal to 4 inches (10.2 centimeters) used especially for the height of horses

a horse that is 15 hands high

12

: a punch made with a specified hand

knocked him out with a good right hand

hand

2 of 3

verb

handed; handing; hands

transitive verb

1

a

: to give, pass, or transmit with the hand

hand a letter to her

b

: to present or provide with

handed him a surprise

2

: to lead, guide, or assist with the hand

hand a lady into a bus

3

a

: furl

hand the sail

b

obsolete : to touch or manage with the hands

also : to deal with

hand

3 of 3

adverb

: with the hands rather than by machine

hand stitched

Phrases

at hand

1

: near in time or place : within reach

use whatever ingredients are at hand

2

: currently receiving or deserving attention

the business at hand

at the hands of or less commonly at the hand of

: by or through the action of

suffering at the hands of a cruel dictator

by hand

1

: with the hands or a hand-worked implement (such as a tool or pen) rather than with a machine

2

: from one individual directly to another

deliver the document by hand

in hand

1

: in one's possession or control

had matters well in hand

with money in hand

2

: in preparation

a new play in hand

3

: under consideration

took the matter in hand

on all hands or on every hand

: everywhere

could hear scurrying noises on all hands

on hand

1

: in present possession or readily available

kept supplies on hand

2

: in attendance : present

A priest was on hand to console them.

3

: about to appear : pending

There was trouble on hand.

on one's hands

: in one's possession or care

too much time on my hands

out of hand

1

: out of control

They let the situation get out of hand.

2

: without delay or deliberation

also : in a summary or peremptory manner

rejected the plan out of hand

3

: done with : finished

4

: with the hands

fruit eaten out of hand

to hand

1

: within reach

weapons ready to hand

2

: into possession

The letter … has come to hand …

—George Washington

hand it to

: to give credit to : concede the excellence of

I have to hand it to him. He did a wonderful job.

Synonyms

Noun

• angle
• aspect
• facet
• phase
• side

Verb

• deliver
• feed
• furnish
• give
• hand over
• provide
• supply

Examples of hand in a Sentence

Noun

These gloves will keep your hands warm.

She put her hands over her eyes.

He sat quietly with his hands folded in his lap.

Do you need a hand?

Verb

was happy to hand her grandmother's cookie recipes to the parish ladies to put in their cookbook

the clerk handed her the receipt

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Inspired by Berlin techno and ‘90s rave music, the score amplifies the stress and strain of the scenes at hand, lending an urgency to the film that already teeters on the precipice of anxiety. —Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 19 Apr. 2024

Gently pour the oil onto your hands or body and begin your massage. —Valerie Butler, Essence, 19 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun, Verb, and Adverb

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German hant hand

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3b

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hand

• a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
• a free hand
• a helping hand
• at first hand
• at hand
• at the hand of
• back of one's hand
• back of the hand
• bear a hand
• bite the hand that feeds one
• black hand
• by hand
• by one's own hand
• by the hand
• cap in hand
• close at hand
• dab hand
• dead hand
• died by her own hand
• eat out of one's hand
• eat out of someone's hand
• eldest hand
• field hand
• force one's hand
• force someone's hand
• four-hand
• four-in-hand
• free hand
• give/lend me a hand with
• glad hand
• grease the hand of
• had/held the whip hand
• hand and foot
• hand and glove
• hand ax
• hand back
• hand baggage
• hand blender
• hand brake
• hand cream
• hand down
• hand down a decision
• hand-eye coordination
• hand-feed
• hand, foot and mouth disease
• hand gel
• hand glass
• hand-holding
• hand in
• hand in glove
• hand in hand
• hand it to
• hand lens
• hand luggage
• hand-me-down
• hand mixer
• hand off
• hand on
• hand organ
• hand out
• hand over
• hand over fist
• hand-painted
• hand puppet
• hand running
• hand signal
• hand to hand
• hand-to-mouth
• hand tool
• hand towel
• hand truck
• hand up
• hand waving
• hand-wringing
• hat in hand
• have a hand in
• have (someone) in the palm of one's hand
• heavy hand
• helping hand
• hour hand
• in hand
• in the cup of someone's hand
• in the hollow of one's hand
• invisible hand
• iron hand
• keep one's hand in
• know something like the back of one's hand
• lay a hand on
• left-hand
• lend a hand
• minute hand
• near at hand
• note of hand
• oil the hand
• old hand
• on every hand
• on hand
• on one hand
• on the one hand
• on the other hand
• out of hand
• overplay one's hand
• right hand
• right-hand man
• rule with an iron fist/hand
• running hand
• second hand
• section hand
• set one's hand to
• show one's hand
• sleight of hand
• sweep hand
• sweep-second hand
• the task at hand
• the upper hand
• the whip hand
• tip one's hand
• to hand
• try one's hand
• turn a hand
• turn one's hand
• turn one's hand to
• upper hand
• wait on (someone) hand and foot
• whip hand
• with a heavy hand

Kids Definition

hand

1 of 2 noun

ˈhand 

1

a

: the free end part of the arm or forelimb when used (as in human beings) for handling, grasping, and holding

b

: any of various bodily parts (as the hind foot of an ape or the pincers of a crab) that are like the hand in structure or function

2

: something resembling a hand: as

a

: a pointer on a dial

b

: a figure of a hand with index finger extended to point something out

c

: a bunch of bananas

3

: personal possession : control

in the hands of the enemy

4

a

: side entry 1 sense 2, direction

fighting on either hand

b

: a side or point of view in an issue or argument

on the one hand, we can declare a tie, or on the other hand, keep playing

5

: a pledge especially of marriage

asked for her hand

6

: handwriting sense 2

7

: skill sense 1, ability

try one's hand at chess

8

a

: assistance or help involving physical effort

lend a hand

b

: a part or share in doing something

take a hand in the work

9

: a unit of measure equal to 4 inches (about 10.2 centimeters) used especially for the height of horses

10

: a round of applause

give him a hand

11

a

: the cards or pieces held by a player in a game

b

: a single round in a game

12

a

: one who performs or produces a work

two portraits by the same hand

b

: a hired worker

c

: a member of a ship's crew

all hands on deck

d

: one skilled in a particular activity or field

an old hand at foreign affairs

13

: workmanship sense 2

the hand of a master

hand

2 of 2 verb

1

: to guide or assist with the hand

2

: to give or pass with or as if with the hand

hand a person a letter

Medical Definition

hand

noun

ˈhand 

often attributive

1

a(1)

: the terminal part of the vertebrate forelimb when modified (as in humans) as a grasping organ

(2)

: the forelimb segment (as the terminal section of a bird's wing) of a vertebrate higher than the fishes that corresponds to the hand irrespective of its form or functional specialization

b

: a part serving the function of or resembling a hand

especially : the hind foot of an ape

c

: something resembling a hand

especially : an indicator or pointer on a dial

2

: a unit of measure equal to 4 inches or 10.2 centimeters used especially for the height of horses

Biographical Definition

Hand

biographical name

ˈhand 

(Billings) Learned 1872–1961 American jurist