hand·cuff
ˈhan(d)-ˌkəf 
: a metal fastening that can be locked around a wrist and is usually connected by a chain or bar with another such fastening
—usually used in plural
handcuffed; handcuffing; handcuffs
2
: to hold in check : make ineffective or powerless
handcuffed by strict regulations
Synonyms
Examples of handcuff in a Sentence
Noun
the man reluctantly held out his wrists so the policeman could snap on handcuffs
Verb
wanted to take the trip, but was handcuffed by her responsibility to watch her ailing father
the fear that the new mandatory, standardized tests will handcuff the state's teachers, who will have to specifically tailor their lesson plans for the test
Recent Examples on the Web
Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024
The handcuffs Meade escaped in were also found at the scene of the murders, according to Winegar.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024
The child and Quinn both went to a hospital after police responded, and Richard was led away in handcuffs, according to law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation who were not authorized to speak publicly.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024
Rope, handcuffs and a bowl of cayenne pepper paste were among the torture devices police uncovered at momfluencer Ruby Franke’s therapist’s home this summer.
—Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 26 Mar. 2024
She was escorted out in handcuffs, but police declined to press charges on the burglary allegation.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 25 Mar. 2024
Idaho manhunt:Escaped Idaho inmate's handcuffs tie him to double-murder scene, police say
Who is Skylar Meade?
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024
In the wake of Free Press reports on the allegations, a GM spokesman confirmed in November that the automaker had taken action, removing those officers under investigation from the property and later deciding the officers who remain can no longer make arrests or carry handcuffs.
—Andrea May Sahouri, Detroit Free Press, 16 Mar. 2024
Deputies took Kamara out of the backseat, sat him on a bench and began fixing the handcuffs, Campbell said.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Mar. 2024
Leif Wenar, WIRED, 2 Apr. 2024
The suspect was handcuffed and turned over to Dekalb County Police Department officers, the official said.
—S. Dev, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2024
The officer who pulled them over, however, did not double check for the machine error before handcuffing the sisters and putting them in the back of his patrol vehicle.
—Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2024
Police handcuffed him and searched his two children — their diapers removed without permission, White’s lawsuit alleges.
—Andrea May Sahouri, Detroit Free Press, 16 Mar. 2024
Olea, 38, who was handcuffed appeared to be taking notes while the recorded testimony was played in the courtroom.
—Clara-Sophia Daly, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2024
Outside, the man was handcuffed and told to stay put.
—Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024
Police transport escaped prisoners Abita Stanislaus, far left, and Trevon Robertson, who are handcuffed together in Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Monday, March 4, 2024.
—Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2024
Video also was shown of the couple being led into a room where their son was handcuffed to a wall.
—Gina Kaufman, Detroit Free Press, 8 Mar. 2024
Noun
Additional officers responded to the scene and placed Barnes in handcuffs.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024
The handcuffs Meade escaped in were also found at the scene of the murders, according to Winegar.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024
The child and Quinn both went to a hospital after police responded, and Richard was led away in handcuffs, according to law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation who were not authorized to speak publicly.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024
Rope, handcuffs and a bowl of cayenne pepper paste were among the torture devices police uncovered at momfluencer Ruby Franke’s therapist’s home this summer.
—Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 26 Mar. 2024
She was escorted out in handcuffs, but police declined to press charges on the burglary allegation.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 25 Mar. 2024
Idaho manhunt:Escaped Idaho inmate's handcuffs tie him to double-murder scene, police say
Who is Skylar Meade?
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024
In the wake of Free Press reports on the allegations, a GM spokesman confirmed in November that the automaker had taken action, removing those officers under investigation from the property and later deciding the officers who remain can no longer make arrests or carry handcuffs.
—Andrea May Sahouri, Detroit Free Press, 16 Mar. 2024
Deputies took Kamara out of the backseat, sat him on a bench and began fixing the handcuffs, Campbell said.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Mar. 2024
Verb
An officer grabbed Özer, and the young CEO, now wearing a white polo shirt, was handcuffed, escorted down a short flight of stairs, shuttled into an unmarked white van, and driven into the night.
—Leif Wenar, WIRED, 2 Apr. 2024
The suspect was handcuffed and turned over to Dekalb County Police Department officers, the official said.
—S. Dev, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2024
The officer who pulled them over, however, did not double check for the machine error before handcuffing the sisters and putting them in the back of his patrol vehicle.
—Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2024
Police handcuffed him and searched his two children — their diapers removed without permission, White’s lawsuit alleges.
—Andrea May Sahouri, Detroit Free Press, 16 Mar. 2024
Olea, 38, who was handcuffed appeared to be taking notes while the recorded testimony was played in the courtroom.
—Clara-Sophia Daly, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2024
Outside, the man was handcuffed and told to stay put.
—Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024
Police transport escaped prisoners Abita Stanislaus, far left, and Trevon Robertson, who are handcuffed together in Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Monday, March 4, 2024.
—Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2024
Video also was shown of the couple being led into a room where their son was handcuffed to a wall.
—Gina Kaufman, Detroit Free Press, 8 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'handcuff.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near handcuff
Cite this Entry
“Handcuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handcuff. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
handcuff
noun
hand·cuff
ˈhan(d)-ˌkəf
: a metal fastening locking around a wrist and usually connected by a chain or bar with another such fastening
—usually used in plural
handcuff
verb
More from Merriam-Webster on handcuff
Nglish: Translation of handcuff for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of handcuff for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share