hand down

verb

handed down; handing down; hands down

transitive verb

1
: to transmit in succession (as from father to son)
2
: to make official formulation of and express (the opinion of a court)

Examples of hand down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Los Angeles County prosecutors revealed the information about Craven’s allegations as a judge handed down Pearce’s sentence. Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025 Magistrates will be under pressure to hand down tough sentences to deter copycats. Lionel Laurent, Twin Cities, 24 Oct. 2025 But only after indictments were handed down and evidence was introduced at trials did the extent of the electronic surveillance operation become known. George Anastasia, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2025 The punishment was handed down for a violation of the league’s conduct policy stemming from his role in a car crash in Dallas last year. Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hand down

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hand down was in 1651

Cite this Entry

“Hand down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hand%20down. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

hand down

verb
1
: to pass down from older to younger (as from parent to child)
2
: to form and express a judicial decision

Legal Definition

hand down

transitive verb
1
: to deliver (the decision or opinion of an appellate court) to the proper office of an inferior court
2
: to make an official formulation of and announce (the decision of a court)

More from Merriam-Webster on hand down

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