handshake

play

noun hand·shake \ˈhan(d)-ˌshāk\

Definition of handshake

: a clasping usually of right hands by two people (as in greeting or farewell)

See handshake defined for English-language learners

See handshake defined for kids

Examples of handshake in a Sentence

She greeted him with a handshake.
He has a firm handshake.

Recent Examples of handshake from the Web

Power handshake strategies: tools not just for new business school grads, but also for the world's most visible political leaders.

— lilian min, Cosmopolitan, "French President Macron Knew EXACTLY What He Was Doing With That Strong Handshake", 30 May 2017
Sklansky first proposed the concept of handshake-free zones in a 2014 editorial published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

— anna gorman, Kaiser Health News, "Handshake-Free Zone: Keep Those Hands — And Germs — To Yourself In The Hospital", 30 May 2017
New French President Emmanuel Macron said his now-famous white-knuckled handshake with Trump was a deliberate attempt to demonstrate that he wouldn't be bullied by the American president.

— gregory korte, USA TODAY, "Allies distance themselves from U.S. after Trump's first foreign trip", 29 May 2017
During his first in-person meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump's typically aggressive greeting became a duel of one-upmanship as the two men clenched their jaws and tightened their faces during an intense, white-knuckled handshake.

— ashley parker, chicagotribune.com, "Snubs and slights are part of the job in Trump's White House", 29 May 2017
Accompanied by some of her children and grandchildren, she was buoyed by handshakes and hugs from members of the Portland-area Muslim community and many speakers who praised the heroism of her son and the two other men.

— hal bernton, The Seattle Times, "Mom of Taliesin Meche says Portland train victim known for brave spirit", 29 May 2017
Trump is no stranger to awkward handshakes, though.

— char adams, PEOPLE.com, "French President Emmanuel Macron Says His Now Infamous Handshake with Trump Was a ‘Moment of Truth’", 28 May 2017
White House pooler @PhilipRucker's view of the Trump - Macron handshake in Brussels: knuckles turned white and faces tightened.

— jack holmes, Esquire, "Trump Should Really Learn How to Shake Hands Like a Normal Person", 25 May 2017
About an Existential Crisis Reading Group with a secret handshake.

— alexandra alter, New York Times, "Summer Reading Recommendations, From 6 Novelists Who Own Bookstores", 25 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'handshake'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of handshake

1802

HANDSHAKE Defined for English Language Learners

handshake

play

noun

Definition of handshake for English Language Learners

: the act of grasping someone's right hand with your right hand and moving it up and down : the act of shaking hands; also : the manner in which a person shakes hands