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Definition of handnext
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as in flank
a place, space, or direction away from or beyond a central point or line tall buildings rose on either hand nothing but wide open space on either hand

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as in needle
an arrow-shaped piece on a dial or scale for registering information both hands of the clock pointed to 12

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as in signature
a person's name written in their own handwriting often given to indicate awareness or consent the subpoena required a lawyer's hand

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hand

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verb (1)

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as in to pass
to shift possession of (something) from one person to another the clerk handed her the receipt

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hands

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noun (2)

plural of hand

hands

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verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of hand
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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hand
Noun
Our hands and our minds have got to be engaged. Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026 Ashley is hopeful that their embryo will fertilize, but Austin, trying to buy time, sabotages his sperm sample with hand sanitizer. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
Eunice uses the distraction to hand Austin the USB stick and takes off, jumping on the bed of a moving truck. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026 Pulido told the crowd, before scratching his signature onto the brim and handing it to Jimena, who pumped it in the air and shrieked with joy. Jesús Rodríguez, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
Vance shook hands with Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the powerful speaker of parliament and a former Revolutionary Guard commander, although there were no photo ops. Robin Wright, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026 The durable and velvety soft tanning mitt is designed to keep self tanner off your palms and hands. Tory Johnson, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
The mysterious figure takes the musician’s guitar, tunes it, and hands it back to its owner. René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Mar. 2026 Turan hands me off to his roommate, Rory Carmichael, a genial 39-year-old engineer. Joe Hagan, Vanity Fair, 18 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hand

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Cite this Entry

“Hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.

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