backhand

noun back·hand \ ˈbak-ˌhand \

|Updated on: 21 Aug 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

When Halep ended a 14-stroke point by pushing a backhand wide, Stephens owned the first set.

— howard fendrich, USA TODAY, "Simona Halep beats American Sloane Stephens in French Open final," 9 June 2018
When Halep ended a 14-stroke point by pushing a backhand wide, Stephens owned the first set.

— howard fendrich, The Seattle Times, "4th time’s the charm: Halep tops Stephens to win French Open," 9 June 2018
When Halep ended a 14-stroke point by pushing a backhand wide, Stephens owned the first set.

— Fox News, "Simona Halep tops American Sloane Stephens to win French Open title," 9 June 2018
Sasnovich is a confident, big-match player who drills her backhand.

— jon wertheim, SI.com, "Five Thoughts From Day Two at Wimbledon," 3 July 2018
Michigan was at Clarkson, and head coach Mel Pearson watched as Quinn Hughes had the puck on his backhand on his own blue line.

— Detroit Free Press, "2018 NHL mock draft: Why I picked Quinn Hughes for Detroit Red Wings," 15 June 2018
He was aided by a dazzling backhand stop by Riddle on Brandon Crawford’s hard smash, which plated the run on the groundout.

— craig davis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Trevor Richards notches first big-league win as Marlins down Giants again," 13 June 2018
The Pirates’ final blow came on a backhand attempt by third baseman Christian Villanueva in the seventh inning on what should have been the third out but instead scored Gregory Polanco from third.

— kevin acee, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Pirates take advantage of Padres' miscues to win series opener," 18 May 2018
The Maple Leafs finally took the lead with 6:35 left in the period when Marner was quickest to a loose puck in the slot and beat Rask with a backhand to the far post after Marchand could not clear.

— the associated press, New York Times, "Alex Ovechkin Carries Capitals Past Blue Jackets and Into Second Round," 24 Apr. 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

Less than a minute later, Nicklas Backstrom backhanded a shot past Fleury, who couldn't recover after sprawling to his right with T.J. Oshie coming around the back of the goal.

— w.g. ramirez, baltimoresun.com, "Goalies Holtby, Fleury under siege in Stanley Cup Final Game 1 shootout between Caps, Knights," 29 May 2018
Less than a minute later, Nicklas Backstrom backhanded a shot past Fleury, who couldn’t recover after sprawling to his right with T.J. Oshie coming around the back of the goal.

— w.g. ramirez, The Seattle Times, "Goalies under siege in Game 1 shootout between Caps, Knights," 28 May 2018
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

First Known Use of backhand

circa 1896

in the meaning defined above

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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