handshake

noun

hand·​shake ˈhan(d)-ˌshāk 

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

Examples of handshake in a Sentence

She greeted him with a handshake.

He has a firm handshake.

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead, fans approached White with smiles and respect and outstretched arms for handshakes and fist bumps. — Patricia Babcock McGraw Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026

This isn’t as simple as a handshake between buyer and seller, though. — Sharon Wu, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

Nixon was caught off guard on his first day at Lambeau Field when Love wanted to create a handshake with him. — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Clinicians should never force a handshake or assume that a handshake will be welcomed. — Zain Khawaja, STAT, 24 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing handshake

• golden handshake

Rhymes for handshake

• awake
• backache
• beefsteak
• betake
• cheesecake
• cupcake
• daybreak
• earthquake
• forsake
• gouache
• headache
• heartache

Kids Definition

handshake

noun

hand·​shake -ˌshāk 

: a clasping of hands by two people especially in greeting or farewell