at hand

phrase

1

: near in time or place : within reach

use whatever ingredients are at hand

2

: currently receiving or deserving attention

the business at hand

Examples of at hand in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For the purposes of the war at hand, the photo is, basically, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026

But the question at hand is not whether Israel has a partner for peace. — Michael Robbins, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2026

LaMarca said that Rogers wouldn’t arrive for a meeting and immediately get down to the business at hand. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2026

Cygnet believes that intentional drinking is about what fits the moment at hand, as opposed to restriction. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for at hand

• armband
• backhand
• bandstand
• baseband
• broadband
• command
• cropland
• demand
• disband
• dreamland
• expand
• farmhand