hand

1 of 3

noun

ˈhand 

often attributive

1

a(1)

: the terminal part of the vertebrate forelimb when modified (as in humans) as a grasping organ : the body part at the end of the arm of a human, ape, or monkey

holding a pair of scissors in his hand

She put her hands over her eyes.

(2)

: the forelimb segment (such as the terminal section of a bird's wing) of a vertebrate higher than the fishes that corresponds to the hand irrespective of its form or functional specialization

b

: something resembling a hand: such as

(1)

: an indicator or pointer on a dial

the hands of a clock

(2)

: a character ☞ used to direct particular attention (as to a note or paragraph) : fist, index

(3)

: a cluster of bananas developed from a single flower group

(4)

: a branched rootstock of ginger

(5)

: a bunch of large leaves (as of tobacco) tied together usually with another leaf

c

: a part serving the function of or resembling a hand: such as

(1)

: the hind foot of an ape

(2)

: the chela of a crustacean

2

a

: personal possession

—usually used in plural

The documents fell into the hands of the enemy.

b

: control, supervision

—usually used in plural

left the matter in her hands

3

a

: one of two sides or aspects of an issue or argument

On the one hand we can appeal for peace, and on the other, declare war.

b

: side, direction

soldiers fighting on either hand

4

a

: assistance or aid especially involving physical effort

lend a hand

b

: participation, interest

had no hand in the decision

c

: a round of applause

Let's give them a big hand.

5

a

: skill, ability

tried her hand at sailing

b

: an instrumental part

had a hand in the victory

6

: a pledge especially of betrothal or bestowal in marriage

He asked for her hand in marriage.

7

a(1)

: the cards or pieces held by a player

studied her hand

(2)

: a player in a card game or board game

b

: a single round in a game

lost the first hand but won the next two

c

: the force or solidity of one's position (as in negotiations)

trying to strengthen their hand

8

a(1)

: a person employed at manual labor or general tasks

a ranch hand

(2)

: worker, employee

employed over a hundred hands

b

: a member of a ship's crew

All hands on deck!

c

: a person who performs or executes a particular work

two portraits by the same hand

d

: a person skilled in a particular action or pursuit

a great hand at carpentry

e

: a specialist or veteran in a usually designated activity or region

a Latin America hand

9

a

: style of execution : workmanship

the hand of a master

b

: handiwork, doings

the hand of vandals

c

: the feel of or tactile reaction to something (such as silk or leather)

10

a

: style of penmanship : handwriting

wrote in a fancy hand

b

: signature

11

: a unit of measure equal to 4 inches (10.2 centimeters) used especially for the height of horses

a horse that is 15 hands high

12

: a punch made with a specified hand

knocked him out with a good right hand

hand

2 of 3

verb

handed; handing; hands

transitive verb

1

a

: to give, pass, or transmit with the hand

hand a letter to her

b

: to present or provide with

handed him a surprise

2

: to lead, guide, or assist with the hand

hand a lady into a bus

3

a

: furl

hand the sail

b

obsolete : to touch or manage with the hands

also : to deal with

hand

3 of 3

adverb

: with the hands rather than by machine

hand stitched

Phrases

at hand

1

: near in time or place : within reach

use whatever ingredients are at hand

2

: currently receiving or deserving attention

the business at hand

at the hands of or less commonly at the hand of

: by or through the action of

suffering at the hands of a cruel dictator

by hand

1

: with the hands or a hand-worked implement (such as a tool or pen) rather than with a machine

2

: from one individual directly to another

deliver the document by hand

in hand

1

: in one's possession or control

had matters well in hand

with money in hand

2

: in preparation

a new play in hand

3

: under consideration

took the matter in hand

on all hands or on every hand

: everywhere

could hear scurrying noises on all hands

on hand

1

: in present possession or readily available

kept supplies on hand

2

: in attendance : present

A priest was on hand to console them.

3

: about to appear : pending

There was trouble on hand.

on one's hands

: in one's possession or care

too much time on my hands

out of hand

1

: out of control

They let the situation get out of hand.

2

: without delay or deliberation

also : in a summary or peremptory manner

rejected the plan out of hand

3

: done with : finished

4

: with the hands

fruit eaten out of hand

to hand

1

: within reach

weapons ready to hand

2

: into possession

The letter … has come to hand …

—George Washington

hand it to

: to give credit to : concede the excellence of

I have to hand it to him. He did a wonderful job.

Synonyms

Noun

• angle
• aspect
• facet
• phase
• side

Verb

• deliver
• feed
• furnish
• give
• hand over
• provide
• supply

Examples of hand in a Sentence

Noun

These gloves will keep your hands warm.

She put her hands over her eyes.

He sat quietly with his hands folded in his lap.

Do you need a hand?

Verb

was happy to hand her grandmother's cookie recipes to the parish ladies to put in their cookbook

the clerk handed her the receipt

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Inspired by Berlin techno and ‘90s rave music, the score amplifies the stress and strain of the scenes at hand, lending an urgency to the film that already teeters on the precipice of anxiety. —Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 19 Apr. 2024

Gently pour the oil onto your hands or body and begin your massage. —Valerie Butler, Essence, 19 Apr. 2024

Several of Hannah’s titles were on hand for sale at the event until an anonymous donor generously stepped up to supply for all in attendance. —Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Apr. 2024

Vegas, on then other hand, had one of the NHL’s best home records. —Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2024

Participants are assigned a target and can either tag the other students by hand or spray them with water. —Jazmin Towe, Parents, 19 Apr. 2024

Otherwise, Odunze features elite size, speed and strength with excellent hands and Keenan Allen is only signed for another season. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2024

His new fiancée could be seen sporting a large diamond ring on her left hand. —Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024

Steil had just over $4 million in cash on hand at the start of the month. —Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2024

Verb

Shortly after the Detroit contracts were ratified, Volkswagen and other nonunion companies handed their workers big pay raises. —Kristin M. Hall, Fortune, 20 Apr. 2024

That person later allegedly handed the package off to the defendant, who was arrested. —City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Apr. 2024

On Wednesday, Embiid was handed a Team USA jersey by USA Basketball managing director Grant Hill in Philadelphia. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2024

After putting on an apron to help a team of chefs prepare meals in the kitchen at the Surplus to Supper base at Sunbury Cricket club, William was handed a couple of get well cards for Kate and his father Charles by volunteer Rachel Candappa. —Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024

As with most of the sleeping beauties, handing the dress—even delicately—hastens its decay; Bolton made the decision that the risk was worth the opportunity to gather detailed information about what the Worth dress, in its prime, had been. —Nathan Heller, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2024

And remember, drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using a cell phone while driving (except emergency calls), even hands free. —Joe Simitian, The Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2024

Advertising aside, Episode 8 marks the first time this season that judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie sit back and hand the reins to ABC viewers, who can have their say in who stays and who goes by texting their votes. —Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024

Kestrel pulled out her old driver’s license and handed it to Knoll. —Casey Parks, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024

Adverb

And putting money in people’s pockets goes hand-in-hand with social distancing policies, by defraying some of the costs of closing non-essential businesses, which in turn threatens the reliable paychecks of thousands of workers. —Ben Adler, The New Republic, 13 Apr. 2020

The two phenomena go hand-in-hand: The Arctic Oscillation is positive because the polar vortex is strong. —Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2020

The developments come a day after the managers hand-delivered the articles of impeachment, adopted by the House in December, to the Senate after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., signed them in a historic engrossment ceremony. —NBC News, 16 Jan. 2020

One shop sold stuffed toys made to look hand-woven, as if a wry old local was out back sewing Ewok dolls. —BostonGlobe.com, 13 Sep. 2019

His vision is carried on by three generations of his family who hand-pick grapes to make homemade wine. —Verna Gates, al, 19 Sep. 2019

Food that’s healthy for people and healthy for the environment go hand-in-hand. —Anne Schamberg, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2019

For the next election, all of L.A. County will be ditching the previous system where voters hand-marked ballots for a system where computers will aid in the marking process. —Lila Seidman, Glendale News-Press, 3 Oct. 2019

Half the fun is perusing the lengthy cocktail list, designed to look hand-scrawled and presented in a small binder. —Paul Hodgins, Daily Pilot, 25 Sep. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Noun, Verb, and Adverb

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German hant hand

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3b

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hand

• a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
• a free hand
• a helping hand
• at first hand
• at hand
• at the hand of
• back of one's hand
• back of the hand
• bear a hand
• bite the hand that feeds one
• black hand
• by hand
• by one's own hand
• by the hand
• cap in hand
• close at hand
• dab hand
• dead hand
• died by her own hand
• eat out of one's hand
• eat out of someone's hand
• eldest hand
• field hand
• force one's hand
• force someone's hand
• four-hand
• four-in-hand
• free hand
• give/lend me a hand with
• glad hand
• grease the hand of
• had/held the whip hand
• hand and foot
• hand and glove
• hand ax
• hand back
• hand baggage
• hand blender
• hand brake
• hand cream
• hand down
• hand down a decision
• hand-eye coordination
• hand-feed
• hand, foot and mouth disease
• hand gel
• hand glass
• hand-holding
• hand in
• hand in glove
• hand in hand
• hand it to
• hand lens
• hand luggage
• hand-me-down
• hand mixer
• hand off
• hand on
• hand organ
• hand out
• hand over
• hand over fist
• hand-painted
• hand puppet
• hand running
• hand signal
• hand to hand
• hand-to-mouth
• hand tool
• hand towel
• hand truck
• hand up
• hand waving
• hand-wringing
• hat in hand
• have a hand in
• have (someone) in the palm of one's hand
• heavy hand
• helping hand
• hour hand
• in hand
• in the cup of someone's hand
• in the hollow of one's hand
• invisible hand
• iron hand
• keep one's hand in
• know something like the back of one's hand
• lay a hand on
• left-hand
• lend a hand
• minute hand
• near at hand
• note of hand
• oil the hand
• old hand
• on every hand
• on hand
• on one hand
• on the one hand
• on the other hand
• out of hand
• overplay one's hand
• right hand
• right-hand man
• rule with an iron fist/hand
• running hand
• second hand
• section hand
• set one's hand to
• show one's hand
• sleight of hand
• sweep hand
• sweep-second hand
• the task at hand
• the upper hand
• the whip hand
• tip one's hand
• to hand
• try one's hand
• turn a hand
• turn one's hand
• turn one's hand to
• upper hand
• wait on (someone) hand and foot
• whip hand
• with a heavy hand

Kids Definition

hand

1 of 2 noun

ˈhand 

1

a

: the free end part of the arm or forelimb when used (as in human beings) for handling, grasping, and holding

b

: any of various bodily parts (as the hind foot of an ape or the pincers of a crab) that are like the hand in structure or function

2

: something resembling a hand: as

a

: a pointer on a dial

b

: a figure of a hand with index finger extended to point something out

c

: a bunch of bananas

3

: personal possession : control

in the hands of the enemy

4

a

: side entry 1 sense 2, direction

fighting on either hand

b

: a side or point of view in an issue or argument

on the one hand, we can declare a tie, or on the other hand, keep playing

5

: a pledge especially of marriage

asked for her hand

6

: handwriting sense 2

7

: skill sense 1, ability

try one's hand at chess

8

a

: assistance or help involving physical effort

lend a hand

b

: a part or share in doing something

take a hand in the work

9

: a unit of measure equal to 4 inches (about 10.2 centimeters) used especially for the height of horses

10

: a round of applause

give him a hand

11

a

: the cards or pieces held by a player in a game

b

: a single round in a game

12

a

: one who performs or produces a work

two portraits by the same hand

b

: a hired worker

c

: a member of a ship's crew

all hands on deck

d

: one skilled in a particular activity or field

an old hand at foreign affairs

13

: workmanship sense 2

the hand of a master

hand

2 of 2 verb

1

: to guide or assist with the hand

2

: to give or pass with or as if with the hand

hand a person a letter

Medical Definition

hand

noun

ˈhand 

often attributive

1

a(1)

: the terminal part of the vertebrate forelimb when modified (as in humans) as a grasping organ

(2)

: the forelimb segment (as the terminal section of a bird's wing) of a vertebrate higher than the fishes that corresponds to the hand irrespective of its form or functional specialization

b

: a part serving the function of or resembling a hand

especially : the hind foot of an ape

c

: something resembling a hand

especially : an indicator or pointer on a dial

2

: a unit of measure equal to 4 inches or 10.2 centimeters used especially for the height of horses

Biographical Definition

Hand

biographical name

ˈhand 

(Billings) Learned 1872–1961 American jurist