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
handed out; handing out; hands out
1
a
: to give without charge
b
: to give freely
2
: administer
handed out a severe punishment
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
Gabriela Vidal, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025
The American Association of Diabetes Educators also has a great handout of ways to tap into the online diabetes community.
—Beth Krietsch, SELF, 11 Nov. 2025
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 1 Dec. 2025
Certainly, with $313 million being handed out to small screen applicants on November 20, Newsom’s more than doubling of California’s film and TV tax incentive program to $750 million annually earlier this year has deepened the endearment to him in the Hollywood C-suites and among the Guilds.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handout
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Noun
The Adams County Veterans Memorial in Brighton, Colorado, is seen in an undated handout photo.
—Gabriela Vidal, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025
The American Association of Diabetes Educators also has a great handout of ways to tap into the online diabetes community.
—Beth Krietsch, SELF, 11 Nov. 2025
Verb
Forget the Broncos’ general direction as a franchise for a moment, as the Walton-Penner Ownership Group has handed out over $500 million in offensive and defensive-line extensions across the last year and a half.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 1 Dec. 2025
Certainly, with $313 million being handed out to small screen applicants on November 20, Newsom’s more than doubling of California’s film and TV tax incentive program to $750 million annually earlier this year has deepened the endearment to him in the Hollywood C-suites and among the Guilds.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handout
Cite this Entry
“Handout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handout. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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