backhand

noun back·hand \ ˈbak-ˌhand \

|Updated on: 25 Jun 2018

Definition of backhand

1 a : a stroke (as in tennis) made with the back of the hand turned in the direction of movement; also : the side on which such strokes are made

b : a catch (as in baseball) made to the side of the body opposite the hand being used

2 : handwriting whose strokes slant downward from left to right

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Examples of backhand in a Sentence

She has a good backhand but a weak forehand.

Recent Examples of backhand from the Web

Nadal clinched victory on his first match point when Gasquet chopped an errant backhand long.

— jerome pugmire, chicagotribune.com, "Rafael Nadal easily beats Richard Gasquet to reach 4th round at French Open," 2 June 2018
My serve was popping and my forehand and backhand was solid.

— mark brown, azcentral, "Tucson Pusch Ridge boys, girls tennis collect four state titles," 28 Apr. 2018
Dylan Larkin contributed his fourth goal in the last five games and ninth point in six games in the third period, but Anders Lee banked a backhand shot in off Coreau two minutes later.

— helene st. james, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Red Wings lose finale against N.Y. Islanders, 4-3, in overtime," 7 Apr. 2018
Gilfenbain sparked the early lead in the second set behind strong serves and backhands.

— sam dodge, latimes.com, "Newport Harbor’s tennis duo of Andy Myers and Josh Watkins advances to CIF round of 16," 1 June 2018
Winning a pivotal 31-shot rally at 4-5, 30-30 when his opponent failed to put away a backhand close to the net, was perhaps the turning point.

— ravi ubha, CNN, "Novak Djokovic loses cool but not match at French Open," 1 June 2018
Kerber shanked a backhand off Williams’s return, and Williams had a chance to serve for the match.

— New York Times, "Tennis Needs Serena Williams Back. But Does She Need to Be Seeded?," 28 May 2018
The owner of one of the prettiest one-handed backhands in the sport, Wawrinka — who is again working with coach Magnus Norman — managed only 12 winners, compared with 35 unforced errors, with that shot.

— howard fendrich, BostonGlobe.com, "Stan Wawrinka is ousted in first round of French Open," 28 May 2018
But how many people engage in barroom debates over the best backhand or most distinguished hurdler?

— nick moyle, San Antonio Express-News, "Big 12 baseball title shows Texas is finding its way back to prominence," 22 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'backhand.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of backhand

First Known Use of backhand

1657

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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backhand

adjective

Definition of backhand

: made with a backhand

a backhand tennis stroke

First Known Use of backhand

1695

in the meaning defined above

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backhand

adverb back·hand \ ˈbak-ˌhand \

variants: or backhanded play \ˈbak-ˈhan-dəd\

Definition of backhand

: with a backhand

First Known Use of backhand

1767

in the meaning defined above

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backhand

verb

Definition of backhand

backhanded; backhanding; backhands

transitive verb

: to do, hit, or catch backhand

Recent Examples of backhand from the Web

Now, Gonzalez has become a goalie, backhanding one ball in the dirt, then exploding up and lunging for a Kopech fastball that sails way high and outside the zone.

— dan wiederer, chicagotribune.com, "On his climb to the White Sox, Michael Kopech searching for a mental 'flow state'," 31 May 2018
Athanasiou, who scored Detroit's only two goals in an overtime win against Ottawa on Wednesday, gave the Red Wings a 1-0 lead just 42 seconds into the game, skating in from the left and backhanding the puck past Reimer.

— USA TODAY, "Red Wings beat Panthers 4-2 for 4th straight win," 5 Jan. 2018
Her main objective: Crush every forehand and backhand her coach sent her way.

— tom perrotta, WSJ, "The Key to Winning in Women’s Tennis: Create More Offense," 30 May 2018
Dancs scooped the puck away from Northeastern’s Nolan Stevens at the Huskies’ blue line, skated across two zones while fighting off a defender and backhanded the puck into the far side of the net.

— john doyle, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan hockey beats Northeastern, 3-2; Next up: Boston U. on Sunday," 24 Mar. 2018
With two outs and the scored tied 1-1, JaCoby Jones hit a ground ball to third base that Kyle Seager couldn’t backhand with his glove and instead struck his knee, bouncing into foul territory.

— ryan divish, The Seattle Times, "Mariners bounce back in Detroit, earn split of twin bill," 12 May 2018
On the second Carolina goal, Sebastian Aho skated out from behind the net and backhanded the puck off Elliott’s back and into the net, taking advantage of the rust that the Flyers’ 32-year-old goaltender readily admitted afterward was there.

— sam donnellon, Philly.com, "Flyers coach Dave Hakstol seems set to keep Brian Elliott in goal | Sam Donnellon," 6 Apr. 2018
With the Bruins already a man down, Chara then backhanded the puck over the glass on a clearing attempt for another penalty.

— jimmy golen, courant.com, "Lightning Take 3-1 Series Lead Over Bruins," 4 May 2018
Ovi picked up a rebound from a heavy Brooks Orpik point shot and backhanded it in without ever really looking at the net.

— kristen nelson, SI.com, "Stanley Cup Playoffs Roundup: Maple Leafs Force a Game 7; Capitals Advance to Round Two," 23 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of backhand

circa 1896

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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BACKHAND Defined for English Language Learners

backhand

noun

Definition of backhand for English Language Learners

: a way of hitting a ball in tennis and similar games in which the back of the hand holding the racket is turned in the direction of the ball
: a catch in baseball and similar games that is made on the side of the body that is opposite the hand being used