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
John Ruwitch, NPR, 30 Oct. 2025
For Adams, who was cutting back library hours to pay for the shelters and taking political heat for giving handouts to migrants, that was not a satisfying answer.
—Molly Ball, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 2 Nov. 2025
This week, air traffic controllers with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, a labor union and aviation safety organization, demanded the end of the shutdown and handed out leaflets.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handout
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Noun
For years, the Chinese government has been trying various tactics to try to boost the birthrate, including cash handouts of 3,600 yuan ($507) for each child until the child turns three.
—John Ruwitch, NPR, 30 Oct. 2025
For Adams, who was cutting back library hours to pay for the shelters and taking political heat for giving handouts to migrants, that was not a satisfying answer.
—Molly Ball, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Scarbrough handed out two surprise scholarships to youth who have contributed positively to the Milwaukee community.
—Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 2 Nov. 2025
This week, air traffic controllers with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, a labor union and aviation safety organization, demanded the end of the shutdown and handed out leaflets.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handout
Cite this Entry
“Handout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handout. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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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