handout

1 of 2

noun

hand·​out ˈhand-ˌau̇t How to pronounce handout (audio)
1
: a portion of food, clothing, or money given to or as if to a beggar
2
: a folder or circular of information for free distribution
3
: a prepared statement released to the news media

hand out

2 of 2

verb

handed out; handing out; hands out

transitive verb

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
Noun
Basically, Harris wants more of the same unfair, unproductive tax handouts. Veronique De Rugy, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2024 The government also announced rare cash handouts to disadvantaged citizens while pledging subsidies for recent graduates struggling to find a job. Chris Lau, CNN, 12 Oct. 2024
Verb
President Biden handed out the prestigious National Medals of Arts and National Humanities honors to 39 recipients at the White House on Monday (Oct. 21), including hip-hip legends Queen Latifah and Missy Elliott. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2024 Catch up quick: Musk handed out two $1 million checks over the weekend at campaign events in Harrisburg and Pittsburgh, per CNN. Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for handout 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'handout.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of handout was in 1648

Dictionary Entries Near handout

Cite this Entry

“Handout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handout. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

handout

noun
hand·​out ˈhan-ˌdau̇t How to pronounce handout (audio)
1
: food, clothing, or money given to a beggar
2
: an information sheet for free distribution
3
: a prepared statement released to the press

More from Merriam-Webster on handout

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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