hand-to-hand

adjective

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\ ˈhan(d)-tə-ˈhand

, ˈhan-də- \

Definition of hand-to-hand

(Entry 1 of 2)

: involving physical contact or close enough range for physical contact hand-to-hand fighting

hand to hand

adverb

Definition of hand to hand (Entry 2 of 2)

: at very close range

Examples of hand-to-hand in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb The footage shown Wednesday inside the Senate chamber was graphic: rioters in hand to hand combat with Capitol Police for hours, attacking with bear spray, metal poles, hockey sticks, Trump campaign flags and other makeshift weapons. — Todd J. Gillman, Dallas News, 11 Feb. 2021 Coronavirus has fueled concerns about exchanging currency from hand to hand. — Washington Post, 1 Dec. 2020 Electronic payment can also help a patient avoid ATM fees and touching cash that has been passed from hand to hand. — Bethany Rodgers, The Salt Lake Tribune, 24 Sep. 2020 Gang Unit Officers conducting surveillance in Avondale observed the occupants of a black Kia involved in a hand to hand drug transaction. — Madeline Mitchell, The Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2020 Officers observed the driver making hand to hand transactions Thursday and called for a marked police vehicle to stop the driver and arrest him, the release states. — Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 10 July 2020 The fighting was brutal, hand to hand, and the British paratroopers were overrun. — National Geographic, 6 May 2020 No collection baskets may be passed from hand to hand; consider a monitored collection point (i.e. an usher monitoring a single basket near the main doors of the church) to minimize contact. — Madeline Mitchell, Cincinnati.com, 8 May 2020 Employees are disinfecting more than 8,000 train cars and 5,000 buses nightly, requiring rear door boarding on buses by passengers, and eliminated hand to hand cash transactions on buses and at train stops. — Fox News, 15 Apr. 2020

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