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

No one gets to appreciate Connie’s handshake because everyone but Gazza and Clazza (that’s Clara’s new nickname) is still working. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026

Paul McCartney met Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away on September 8, 2022, several times throughout his life, beginning with the queen’s first handshake with the Beatles in 1963. — Monica Coviello, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026

While the players pull up socks, lace their boots and catch up with each other, head coach Ryan Pore enters, greeting each of them — one after another — with a handshake. — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026

Rather than physically moving barrels around, trading had moved from handshakes to paper. — Brian C. Black, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 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