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
handed out; handing out; hands out
1
a
: to give without charge
b
: to give freely
2
: administer
handed out a severe punishment
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
Lesley Stahl, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
My approach to governing is built on a lifetime of fighting for working families, public education, affordable health care, and real economic opportunity, not corporate handouts.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026
Their staff will hand out water conservation supplies from the San Diego County Water Authority and share information about water conservation and meter reading, said Erica Wolski, the water district’s general manager.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handout
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Noun
Family handouts The three young Jewish women were all newly pregnant in 1944 when they were sent to the notorious death camp Auschwitz.
—Lesley Stahl, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
My approach to governing is built on a lifetime of fighting for working families, public education, affordable health care, and real economic opportunity, not corporate handouts.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
The idea came up to create an award to be handed out during the Berlin International Film Festival.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026
Their staff will hand out water conservation supplies from the San Diego County Water Authority and share information about water conservation and meter reading, said Erica Wolski, the water district’s general manager.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handout
Cite this Entry
“Handout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handout. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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