handout

1 of 2

noun

hand·​out ˈhand-ˌau̇t 

1

: a portion of food, clothing, or money given to or as if to a beggar

2

: a folder or circular of information for free distribution

3

: a prepared statement released to the news media

hand out

2 of 2

verb

handed out; handing out; hands out

transitive verb

1

a

: to give without charge

b

: to give freely

2

: administer

handed out a severe punishment

Synonyms

Verb

• administer
• allocate
• apportion
• deal (out)
• dispense
• distribute
• dole out
• mete (out)
• parcel (out)
• portion
• prorate

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

Noun

That includes rulebooks, spell cards, handouts and more. —Rob Wieland, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025

In a bill brimming with handouts for the wealthy, ultra-rich voucher supporters could net billions of dollars every year under ECCA. —Kevin Sabet, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025

Verb

Tour, the Australian Open handed out titles earlier this year, when the competition unfolded between Jan. 12 and Jan. 26 in Melbourne. —Stacy Lambe, People.com, 30 May 2025

Sankey handed out info packets to reporters Thursday detailing the SEC’s schedule strength superiority over the past decade. —Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 30 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for handout

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids 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