hand-to-hand

1 of 2

adjective

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

hand to hand

2 of 2

adverb

: at very close range

Examples of hand-to-hand in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
State police alleged that a hand-to-hand drug transaction was observed just before 1 p.m. Thursday on Wethersfield Avenue in Hartford. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2025 Officers witnessed Puente-Chavez transact a hand-to-hand exchange in an Orland Square parking lot prior to the stop, police said. Dennis Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
Adverb
As Nick begins the ceremony, the handmaids who have blades sewn into their robes surreptitiously remove them and past them, hand to hand, down the pew. Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 13 May 2025 In the weight room, David drops into a plank pose and moves the length of an agility ladder, hand to hand, down and back, pausing only when Will cracks a joke. Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hand-to-hand

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1833, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hand-to-hand was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hand-to-hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hand-to-hand. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

hand-to-hand

adjective
ˌhan-tə-ˈhand
: involving physical contact
hand-to-hand combat

More from Merriam-Webster on hand-to-hand

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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