handout

1 of 2

noun

hand·​out ˈhand-ˌau̇t 

1

sometimes disapproving : food, clothing, or money given to someone who is poor

also : money given to a person or organization by the government

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 of handout

Verb

• distribute
• dispense
• provide
• deal (out)
• allocate
• divide
• dole out
• portion
• supply

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

Or maybe the real problem is that the very notion of a handout goes against the principles our founding fathers loved to mansplain. — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 22 June 2026

Near the parking lot, a big, gray stand was brightly lit and a line of people, some 50 strong, were still lined up to get their two bracelets, a popular handout. — Gabriel Sama, Mercury News, 21 June 2026

Verb

Abbott’s camp made its presence known in Corpus Christi as Democrats met Friday, with the help of a bovine and by handing out breakfast tacos. — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 June 2026

At Issey Miyake, staff handed out cold compresses. — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 27 June 2026

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