panhandle

1 of 2

noun

pan·​han·​dle ˈpan-ˌhan-dᵊl 

: a narrow projection of a larger territory (such as a state)

the Oklahoma Panhandle

panhandle

2 of 2

verb

panhandled; panhandling ˈpan-ˌhan(d)-liŋ 

-ˌhan-dᵊl-iŋ

intransitive verb

: to stop people on the street and ask for food or money : beg

transitive verb

1

: to accost on the street and beg from

2

: to get by panhandling

panhandler

ˈpan-ˌhan(d)-lər 

-ˌhan-dᵊl-ər

noun

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

Noun

This sighting was in Cimarron County, located at the far western tip of Oklahoma’s panhandle, sandwiched between Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 June 2025

Thunderstorms accompanied by wind gusts up to 90 mph swept across the Texas panhandle, causing widespread power outages. —Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 9 June 2025

Verb

The plaintiff in that case, Willie White, who was 65 at the time of the 2023 lawsuit, had been arrested twice for panhandling in the span of a month. —Vivienne Serret, Miami Herald, 18 June 2025

Reams of memes followed, in fake posts of Ed frequenting local businesses, dining at a Waffle House, panhandling, and checking out the donut scene. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 8 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

back-formation from panhandler, probably from panhandle, noun; from the extended forearm

First Known Use

Noun

1846, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1890, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for panhandle

• candle
• handle
• sandal
• scandal
• vandal

Kids 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

panhandler

-(d)lər 

-dᵊl-ər

noun