often attributive
1
a(1)
: the terminal part of the vertebrate forelimb when modified (as in humans) as a grasping organ : the body part at the end of the arm of a human, ape, or monkey
holding a pair of scissors in his hand
She put her hands over her eyes.
(2)
: the forelimb segment (such as the terminal section of a bird's wing) of a vertebrate higher than the fishes that corresponds to the hand irrespective of its form or functional specialization
b
: something resembling a hand: such as
(1)
: an indicator or pointer on a dial
the hands of a clock
(3)
: a cluster of bananas developed from a single flower group
(4)
: a branched rootstock of ginger
(5)
: a bunch of large leaves (as of tobacco) tied together usually with another leaf
c
: a part serving the function of or resembling a hand: such as
(1)
: the hind foot of an ape
(2)
: the chela of a crustacean
2
a
: personal possession
—usually used in plural
The documents fell into the hands of the enemy.
b
: control, supervision
—usually used in plural
left the matter in her hands
3
4
a
: assistance or aid especially involving physical effort
lend a hand
b
: participation, interest
had no hand in the decision
c
: a round of applause
Let's give them a big hand.
6
: a pledge especially of betrothal or bestowal in marriage
He asked for her hand in marriage.
7
a(1)
: the cards or pieces held by a player
studied her hand
(2)
: a player in a card game or board game
b
: a single round in a game
lost the first hand but won the next two
c
: the force or solidity of one's position (as in negotiations)
trying to strengthen their hand
8
b
: a member of a ship's crew
All hands on deck!
c
: a person who performs or executes a particular work
two portraits by the same hand
d
: a person skilled in a particular action or pursuit
a great hand at carpentry
e
: a specialist or veteran in a usually designated activity or region
a Latin America hand
9
a
: style of execution : workmanship
the hand of a master
c
: the feel of or tactile reaction to something (such as silk or leather)
10
a
: style of penmanship : handwriting
wrote in a fancy hand
b
11
: a unit of measure equal to 4 inches (10.2 centimeters) used especially for the height of horses
a horse that is 15 hands high
12
: a punch made with a specified hand
knocked him out with a good right hand
handed; handing; hands
1
a
: to give, pass, or transmit with the hand
hand a letter to her
b
: to present or provide with
handed him a surprise
2
: to lead, guide, or assist with the hand
hand a lady into a bus
: with the hands rather than by machine
hand stitched
Phrases
at hand
1
: near in time or place : within reach
use whatever ingredients are at hand
2
: currently receiving or deserving attention
the business at hand
: by or through the action of
suffering at the hands of a cruel dictator
1
: with the hands or a hand-worked implement (such as a tool or pen) rather than with a machine
2
: from one individual directly to another
deliver the document by hand
1
: in one's possession or control
had matters well in hand
with money in hand
2
: in preparation
a new play in hand
3
: under consideration
took the matter in hand
: everywhere
could hear scurrying noises on all hands
1
: in present possession or readily available
kept supplies on hand
2
: in attendance : present
A priest was on hand to console them.
3
: about to appear : pending
There was trouble on hand.
: in one's possession or care
too much time on my hands
1
: out of control
They let the situation get out of hand.
2
: without delay or deliberation
also
: in a summary or peremptory manner
rejected the plan out of hand
3
: done with : finished
4
: with the hands
fruit eaten out of hand
1
: within reach
weapons ready to hand
2
: into possession
The letter … has come to hand …—
George Washington
George Washington
: to give credit to : concede the excellence of
I have to hand it to him. He did a wonderful job.
Examples of hand in a Sentence
Noun
These gloves will keep your hands warm.
She put her hands over her eyes.
He sat quietly with his hands folded in his lap.
Do you need a hand?
Verb
was happy to hand her grandmother's cookie recipes to the parish ladies to put in their cookbook
the clerk handed her the receipt
Recent Examples on the Web
Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
This combination can turn daily, simple tasks like washing hands or brushing teeth into an entire cleaning session.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
John Hollinger, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Lutnick handed the reins of the company to his 27-year-old son, and his other son also works at Cantor.
—Melanie Hicken, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Ben Adler, The New Republic, 13 Apr. 2020
The two phenomena go hand-in-hand: The Arctic Oscillation is positive because the polar vortex is strong.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2020
See All Example Sentences for hand
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.
Noun
In photos obtained by the outlet, the pair could be seen walking out of the theater while holding hands and smiling.
—Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
This combination can turn daily, simple tasks like washing hands or brushing teeth into an entire cleaning session.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
Finally, there’s the fact that the Blazers are handing him the gig, with Clingan playing 30 minutes in the opener against Minnesota.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Lutnick handed the reins of the company to his 27-year-old son, and his other son also works at Cantor.
—Melanie Hicken, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Adverb
And putting money in people’s pockets goes hand-in-hand with social distancing policies, by defraying some of the costs of closing non-essential businesses, which in turn threatens the reliable paychecks of thousands of workers.
—Ben Adler, The New Republic, 13 Apr. 2020
The two phenomena go hand-in-hand: The Arctic Oscillation is positive because the polar vortex is strong.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2020
See All Example Sentences for hand
Cite this Entry
“Hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hand. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hand
1 of 2 noun1
a
: the free end part of the arm or forelimb when used (as in human beings) for handling, grasping, and holding
b
: any of various bodily parts (as the hind foot of an ape or the pincers of a crab) that are like the hand in structure or function
2
: something resembling a hand: as
a
: a pointer on a dial
b
: a figure of a hand with index finger extended to point something out
c
: a bunch of bananas
3
: personal possession : control
in the hands of the enemy
4
a
: side entry 1 sense 2, direction
fighting on either hand
b
: a side or point of view in an issue or argument
on the one hand, we can declare a tie, or on the other hand, keep playing
5
: a pledge especially of marriage
asked for her hand
7
: skill sense 1, ability
try one's hand at chess
8
a
: assistance or help involving physical effort
lend a hand
b
: a part or share in doing something
take a hand in the work
9
: a unit of measure equal to 4 inches (about 10.2 centimeters) used especially for the height of horses
10
: a round of applause
give him a hand
11
a
: the cards or pieces held by a player in a game
b
: a single round in a game
12
a
: one who performs or produces a work
two portraits by the same hand
b
: a hired worker
c
: a member of a ship's crew
all hands on deck
d
: one skilled in a particular activity or field
an old hand at foreign affairs
13
: workmanship sense 2
the hand of a master
hand
2 of 2 verb1
: to guide or assist with the hand
2
: to give or pass with or as if with the hand
hand a person a letter
Medical Definition
hand
nounoften attributive
1
a(1)
: the terminal part of the vertebrate forelimb when modified (as in humans) as a grasping organ
(2)
: the forelimb segment (as the terminal section of a bird's wing) of a vertebrate higher than the fishes that corresponds to the hand irrespective of its form or functional specialization
b
: a part serving the function of or resembling a hand
especially
: the hind foot of an ape
c
: something resembling a hand
especially
: an indicator or pointer on a dial
2
: a unit of measure equal to 4 inches or 10.2 centimeters used especially for the height of horses
Biographical Definition
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