hand·out
ˈhand-ˌau̇t 
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
handed out; handing out; hands out
1
a
: to give without charge
b
: to give freely
2
: administer
handed out a severe punishment
Synonyms
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
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2024
In this handout photo provided by the White House, US President Joe Biden meets with members of the National Security team regarding the unfolding missile attacks on Israel from Iran, on April 13, 2024 in the White House Situation Room in Washington, DC.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2024
The money is not a handout, though, and California isn’t the first state to offer down payment assistance.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2024
Logistically, this year’s festival is well organized and easy to navigate with both online guides and handout maps and daily schedules at info booths.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024
About 20 percent of the country’s middle class has slumped below the poverty line, while 80 percent of Iranians rely on some form of government handout.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024
But while cash handouts have been the government’s go-to approach, experts say that just throwing money at the problem isn’t necessarily the best solution.
—Chad De Guzman, TIME, 3 Apr. 2024
But Abu Hussam also received regular cash handouts from a popular commander named Zoufi, who was killed by Israel in November.
—Claire Parker, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2024
Sophia scorned the idea of leaving Kherson, and said her days are a race between three different aid handouts.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 23 Feb. 2024
Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune Europe, 10 Apr. 2024
About 12 years after sitting across from Raanan in that gas station, Rappaport is now handing out checks of his own.
—Byallie Garfinkle, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024
Hailey Bieber’s skincare brand, Rhode, will host a photo booth for guests, while Supergoop! will be handing out sunscreen.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 10 Apr. 2024
Officials in Shreveport also handed out sandbags to residents in preparation for the weather.
—Robert Shackelford, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
Oscar statuettes will be handed out Sunday, March 2, 2025, as opposed to Sunday, March 10 — although, for the second year in a row, the festivities will begin at 7 p.m. EST/4 p.m. PST, an hour earlier than other recent ceremonies.
—Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024
The agreement with the gangs, which the administration denies making, involved handing out financial incentives, prison benefits, and protection from extradition in exchange for electoral support and a general reduction in homicides.
—Danielle MacKey, The New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2024
Eclipse Cocktails at Red Derby On Monday, the D.C. Public Library began handing out free solar glasses that will protect your eyes during the upcoming eclipse.
—Chris Kelly, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
That’s why Kerr was handing out bear hugs, first to Wiggins, then to Curry after Wednesday’s win.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024
Noun
For him this isn’t much of an investment; 36 million of his 114.7 million shares are a handout that didn’t require him to put up his own money.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2024
In this handout photo provided by the White House, US President Joe Biden meets with members of the National Security team regarding the unfolding missile attacks on Israel from Iran, on April 13, 2024 in the White House Situation Room in Washington, DC.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2024
The money is not a handout, though, and California isn’t the first state to offer down payment assistance.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2024
Logistically, this year’s festival is well organized and easy to navigate with both online guides and handout maps and daily schedules at info booths.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024
About 20 percent of the country’s middle class has slumped below the poverty line, while 80 percent of Iranians rely on some form of government handout.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024
But while cash handouts have been the government’s go-to approach, experts say that just throwing money at the problem isn’t necessarily the best solution.
—Chad De Guzman, TIME, 3 Apr. 2024
But Abu Hussam also received regular cash handouts from a popular commander named Zoufi, who was killed by Israel in November.
—Claire Parker, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2024
Sophia scorned the idea of leaving Kherson, and said her days are a race between three different aid handouts.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 23 Feb. 2024
Verb
From there, the brand became an early adopter of influencer marketing when Francis—who was a big fan of YouTube—started handing out free products to popular fitness gurus on the platform.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune Europe, 10 Apr. 2024
About 12 years after sitting across from Raanan in that gas station, Rappaport is now handing out checks of his own.
—Byallie Garfinkle, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024
Hailey Bieber’s skincare brand, Rhode, will host a photo booth for guests, while Supergoop! will be handing out sunscreen.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 10 Apr. 2024
Officials in Shreveport also handed out sandbags to residents in preparation for the weather.
—Robert Shackelford, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
Oscar statuettes will be handed out Sunday, March 2, 2025, as opposed to Sunday, March 10 — although, for the second year in a row, the festivities will begin at 7 p.m. EST/4 p.m. PST, an hour earlier than other recent ceremonies.
—Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024
The agreement with the gangs, which the administration denies making, involved handing out financial incentives, prison benefits, and protection from extradition in exchange for electoral support and a general reduction in homicides.
—Danielle MacKey, The New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2024
Eclipse Cocktails at Red Derby On Monday, the D.C. Public Library began handing out free solar glasses that will protect your eyes during the upcoming eclipse.
—Chris Kelly, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
That’s why Kerr was handing out bear hugs, first to Wiggins, then to Curry after Wednesday’s win.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024
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.
Dictionary Entries Near handout
Cite this Entry
“Handout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handout. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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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