handheld

adjective hand·held \ ˈhan(d)-ˌheld , -ˈheld \

Definition of handheld

:held in the hand; especially :designed to be operated while being held in the hand

handheld computers

—

handheld

play \ˈhan(d)-ˌheld\ noun

See handheld defined for English-language learners

See handheld defined for kids

Recent Examples of handheld from the Web

Ordinary sunglasses — even very dark ones — should not be used as a replacement for eclipse viewing glasses or handheld solar viewers.

— kirby adams, The Courier-Journal, "Have you picked your eclipse wine yet? Check out these items you may want for the big day," 9 Aug. 2017
That mode will help fans use their handheld devices without disrupting play.

— rick bonnell, charlotteobserver, "Rory McIlroy considered buying a house in Charlotte?," 8 Aug. 2017
Barry Ackroyd’s cinematography eschews anything like a pretty picture; the handheld camera rubs our noses in sweat, blood and spittle.

— robert w. butler, kansascity, "‘Detroit’ re-creates a horrific moment in history with disturbing accuracy," 2 Aug. 2017
Among other technology the city is considering: a cellphone app that lets patrons pay while away from parking spots, and handheld devices that would let parking enforcers check on payments, records show.

— jayda hall, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Can't find a place to park? 'Smart' parking meters offer benefits," 5 July 2017
A $300,000 lawsuit has been filed on behalf of a 7-year-old boy, a 4-month-old girl and a woman -- claiming the three were badly burned by handheld fireworks that were sold to them in Oregon even though the fireworks were known to be defective.

— aimee green, OregonLive.com, "$300k lawsuit says two kids, woman were burned by malfunctioning fireworks," 3 July 2017
In an age where live theater has to compete with assorted handheld electronic images and sounds for a young audience's attention span, director Jennifer Gesvantner has streamlined the story, resulting in a swiftly moving two acts.

— theodore p. mahne, NOLA.com, "'Peter Pan' takes wing with eclectic pop score at Slidell's Cutting Edge," 27 June 2017
Meanwhile the radiation monitoring system at the site of the former Chernobyl nuclear power plant has gone down, with employees switching to manual radiation monitoring with handheld sensors.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "A Wave of Cyberattacks Is Sweeping the Globe," 27 June 2017
Torres faced a judge Monday afternoon at Superior Court in New Britain on charges of drunken driving, using a handheld mobile device and two counts of risk of injury to a minor.

— david owens, courant.com, "New Britain Woman Charged With DUI After Motor Vehicle Hits Teen On Bike," 26 June 2017

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

First Known Use of handheld

1891

HANDHELD Defined for English Language Learners

handheld

adjective

Definition of handheld for English Language Learners

: designed to be used while being held in your hands

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See words that rhyme with handheld Spanish Central: Translation of handheld Nglish: Translation of handheld for Spanish speakers

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handheld

Definition of handheld

handheld

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handheld

Definition of handheld for English Language Learners

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handheld

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handheld

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handheld

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