handheld

adjective

hand·​held ˈhan(d)-ˌheld 

-ˈheld

: held in the hand

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

handheld computers

handheld

ˈhan(d)-ˌheld 

noun

Examples of handheld in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But while the visual language of prestige TV — handheld realism, long silences, and anxious scores — is still alive, the scale of stories has collapsed. — Henry Metz, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026

Shoppers can save on big-ticket items like this Zinus mattress that’s made from plush yet supportive memory foam and a Shark cordless vacuum that converts from an upright model into a handheld device. — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2026

That’s when the movie stops being handheld, and the film fully becomes static on the tripod with wides. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026

Using a handheld cellphone while riding would have been prohibited. — Haley Parsley, Sacbee.com, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for handheld

• barrelled
• beheld
• bushveld
• chiselled
• compelled
• dispelled
• excelled
• expelled
• impelled
• marvelled
• misspelled
• modelled

Kids Definition

handheld

adjective

hand·​held -ˌheld 

: held in the hand

especially : designed to be used while being held in the hand

a handheld computer

handheld noun