hand·cuff
ˈhan(d)-ˌkəf 
: a metal fastening that can be locked around a wrist and is usually connected by a chain or bar with another such fastening
—usually used in plural
handcuffed; handcuffing; handcuffs
2
: to hold in check : make ineffective or powerless
handcuffed by strict regulations
Examples of handcuff in a Sentence
Noun
the man reluctantly held out his wrists so the policeman could snap on handcuffs
Verb
wanted to take the trip, but was handcuffed by her responsibility to watch her ailing father
the fear that the new mandatory, standardized tests will handcuff the state's teachers, who will have to specifically tailor their lesson plans for the test
Recent Examples on the Web
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
26 June 2026
The suspect was then placed in handcuffs and taken into custody.
—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
26 June 2026
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
30 June 2026
Any Bay State citizen from Boston to Great Barrington would have been handcuffed and hauled into court yesterday for sucker-punching a fellow bar patron the way a State Police officer did over the weekend.
—
Boston Herald Editorial Staff,
Boston Herald,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
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Noun
Once outside, paramedics determined that Martin had stopped breathing, removed his handcuffs and began CPR.
—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
26 June 2026
The suspect was then placed in handcuffs and taken into custody.
—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
26 June 2026
Verb
The Athletics head into a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have the best record in the MLB, more than a little handcuffed by injuries.
—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
30 June 2026
Any Bay State citizen from Boston to Great Barrington would have been handcuffed and hauled into court yesterday for sucker-punching a fellow bar patron the way a State Police officer did over the weekend.
—
Boston Herald Editorial Staff,
Boston Herald,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Cite this Entry
“Handcuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handcuff. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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