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

What's missing is the handshake, and someone will build it first. — Himanshu Sinha, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

The real deals are locked in over late-night dinners, back-channel texts and quiet handshakes months in advance. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026

This handshake is perceived as a little fragile now and not necessary due to traditional paparazzi. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Game officials intervened and even threatened to throw a penalty flag if Miami snubbed the pre-game handshake. — Emile Nuh, CNN Money, 9 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