handout

1 of 2

noun

hand·​out ˈhand-ˌau̇t 

1

sometimes disapproving : food, clothing, or money given to someone who is poor

also : money given to a person or organization by the government

2

: a folder or circular of information for free distribution

3

: a prepared statement released to the news media

hand out

2 of 2

verb

handed out; handing out; hands out

transitive verb

1

a

: to give without charge

b

: to give freely

2

: administer

handed out a severe punishment

Synonyms of handout

Verb

• distribute
• dispense
• provide
• deal (out)
• allocate
• divide
• dole out
• portion
• supply

Examples of handout in a Sentence

Noun

He sat on the sidewalk asking for a handout.

The family wasn't interested in government handouts.

The handouts had all the major points of his speech outlined on them.

Verb

no system yet in place for handing out room assignments

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In this handout image provided by ICANA, Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf meets with Pakistan's Army Chief Syed Asim Munir (not in frame) on May 23, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026

Continue reading ⦠BUDGET CLIFF â California mayor touts cash handouts as cities struggle for permanent tax funds. — FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Verb

Awards will be handed out across film, television, music, gaming, sports and other categories. — Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2026

Stop handing out eight-year contracts worth $8 million, $9 million, $10 million annually — only to fire the coach three years later and pay him another fortune to go away. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for handout

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

handout

noun

hand·​out ˈhan-ˌdau̇t 

1

: food, clothing, or money given to a beggar

2

: an information sheet for free distribution

3

: a prepared statement released to the press