pan·han·dle
ˈpan-ˌhan-dᵊl 
: a narrow projection of a larger territory (such as a state)
the Oklahoma Panhandle
panhandled; panhandling
ˈpan-ˌhan(d)-liŋ
-ˌhan-dᵊl-iŋ
: to stop people on the street and ask for food or money : beg
Examples of panhandle in a Sentence
Noun
The Texas Panhandle is the northernmost part of the state.
Verb
He panhandled for his bus fare.
There is a law against panhandling in the subway.
Recent Examples on the Web
Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 7 Dec. 2025
Meteorologists in Texas are warning of incoming winter weather for the panhandle on Wednesday night into Thursday as a quick-hitting storm could cause temperatures to plummet and a few inches of snow to accumulate in the Lone Star State.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025
Rob Kuznia, CNN Money, 4 Dec. 2025
Glendale repealed rules banning panhandling and restricting pedestrians from stopping in roadways or medians after a lawsuit was filed to challenge the ordinances.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for panhandle
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Noun
Meanwhile, Tommy makes the journey up the Texas panhandle with his business associates, Dale Bradley (James Jordan) and Nathan (Colm Feore), plus Angela Norris (Ali Larter) and Ainsley Norris (Michelle Randolph), the two women in Tommy’s life who seem to test everyone’s patience.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 7 Dec. 2025
Meteorologists in Texas are warning of incoming winter weather for the panhandle on Wednesday night into Thursday as a quick-hitting storm could cause temperatures to plummet and a few inches of snow to accumulate in the Lone Star State.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025
Verb
Three vehicles with tinted windows and Virginia plates pulled to a stop near a man who was panhandling on a snowy street.
—Rob Kuznia, CNN Money, 4 Dec. 2025
Glendale repealed rules banning panhandling and restricting pedestrians from stopping in roadways or medians after a lawsuit was filed to challenge the ordinances.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for panhandle
Cite this Entry
“Panhandle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/panhandle. Accessed 14 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
panhandle
1 of 2 noun
pan·han·dle
ˈpan-ˌhan-dᵊl
: a narrow strip of territory that extends from a larger territory (as a state)
the Texas Panhandle
panhandle
2 of 2 verb
panhandled; panhandling
-ˌhan-(d)liŋ,
-dᵊl-iŋ
: to beg for money on the street
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