backhand

noun back·hand \ ˈbak-ˌhand \

Updated on: 17 Apr 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

See backhand defined for English-language learners

See backhand defined for kids

Examples of backhand in a Sentence

She has a good backhand but a weak forehand.

Recent Examples of backhand from the Web

Dolehide won the first set with a backhand passing shot as Halep came into the net.

— heather rule, chicagotribune.com, "Hinsdale's Caroline Dolehide plays 'a few really good matches' on one of tennis' biggest stages," 5 Apr. 2018
But Ostapenko dumped an easy backhand into the net to lose the set, and the Latvian appeared to tire after that.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "South Floridian Sloane Stephens wins final women's title on Key Biscayne," 31 Mar. 2018
Saad made it 2-0 with a nifty move to his backhand in front at 17:17.

— jay cohen, Houston Chronicle, "Emergency goalie pressed into action in Blackhawks win," 29 Mar. 2018
Djokovic’s game was pocked by errors, especially to the backhand, that were uncharacteristic and inexplicable.

— jon wertheim, SI.com, "40 Parting Thoughts from the 2018 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells," 18 Mar. 2018
Radulov passed to Benn less than three minutes later for an easy backhand.

— star-telegram, "Stars storm out to early lead in dominating rout of Oilers," 6 Jan. 2018
Reimer also turned away Andrew Ladd's tip attempt in front 4 1/2 minutes in, Anders Lee's backhand two minutes later, and two tries in close by John Tavares shortly after that.

— vin a. cherwoo, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Panthers one point out of final playoff spot with 3-0 win over Islanders," 27 Mar. 2018
Domi delivered a backhand pass to set up the score.

— richard morin, azcentral, "Adin Hill notches first NHL win as Coyotes hold on to beat Kings in shootout," 13 Mar. 2018
Troy Terry couldn't slip a backhand past, able to induce Francouz to drop his shoulder, but unable to flip the puck over him.

— adam kilgore, Anchorage Daily News, "Blanked by the Czechs in a shootout, US men’s hockey team is out of the Olympics," 21 Feb. 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

backhand

adjective

Definition of backhand

: made with a backhand

a backhand tennis stroke

First Known Use of backhand

1695

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

backhand

verb

Definition of backhand

transitive verb

: to do, hit, or catch backhand

Recent Examples of backhand from the Web

Then in the sixth inning, Astros third baseman Alex Bregman took away a hit from Mancini, backhanding a ball deep down the third-base line and throwing from foul territory to get Mancini be a half step.

— eduardo a. encina, baltimoresun.com, "Inside-the-park flub just the beginning of rough night for Orioles left fielder Trey Mancini," 4 Apr. 2018
Moeller had to backhand the ball over the railing in the Tundra Territory, where several fans can perch in first-come, first-serve seating.

— jr radcliffe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Opening day: Milwaukee man strikes out in BP but brings in first Miller Park home run of season," 2 Apr. 2018
Alex Bregman prevented two others, backhanding a Machado screamer in foul territory down the third base line with two outs in the fifth.

— chandler rome, Houston Chronicle, "Astros raise pennant, then roll past Orioles," 2 Apr. 2018
Sikura equalized, backhanding past Hawkey off a breakaway with Gaudette at 18:06, his 21st goal of the season and first shorthanded score of his career.

— frank dell’apa, BostonGlobe.com, "Northeastern falls to Providence in OT," 17 Mar. 2018
Gilliss taps it to Mannek who spins nicely by Ronning and backhands it into the net.

— dylan bumbarger, OregonLive.com, "Winterhawks 2, Giants 0," 21 Jan. 2018
Niklas Kronwall sent a saucer pass cross-slot to Justin Abdelkader, who backhanded the puck to Athanasiou.

— helene st. james, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Red Wings 'lose' on draft positioning, beat Buffalo Sabres, 6-3," 29 Mar. 2018
Pontus Aberg was free to backhand home the puck from behind the goal line just 45 seconds into the game.

— curtis zupke, latimes.com, "What we learned from the Kings' 3-2 loss to the Oilers," 25 Mar. 2018
Baptiste coolly backhanded the puck under Markstrom's pad for his first this season.

— USA TODAY, "Lehner earns 2nd straight shutout, Sabres beat Canucks 4-0," 26 Jan. 2018

First Known Use of backhand

circa 1896

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