handout

1 of 2

noun

hand·​out ˈhand-ˌau̇t How to pronounce handout (audio)
1
: a portion of food, clothing, or money given to or as if to a beggar
2
: a folder or circular of information for free distribution
3
: a prepared statement released to the news media

hand out

2 of 2

verb

handed out; handing out; hands out

transitive verb

1
a
: to give without charge
b
: to give freely
2
: administer
handed out a severe punishment

Examples of handout in a Sentence

Noun He sat on the sidewalk asking for a handout. The family wasn't interested in government handouts. The handouts had all the major points of his speech outlined on them. Verb no system yet in place for handing out room assignments
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
The potential scale of cash handouts to households is limited by the financially strained position of China’s local governments. Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 31 Oct. 2024 As fewer patients pay their bills, hospitals also face long-term revenue risks, prompting them to seek further government handouts. Ge Bai, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
The largest contract the Red Sox handed out that offseason was a two-year $38.5 million contract to righty Lucas Giolito, who did not pitch a single inning in 2024 following an elbow injury in spring training. Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 All will have bracelets to hand out celebrating this moment. Cindi Andrews, The Indianapolis Star, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for handout 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of handout was in 1648

Dictionary Entries Near handout

Cite this Entry

“Handout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handout. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

handout

noun
hand·​out ˈhan-ˌdau̇t How to pronounce handout (audio)
1
: food, clothing, or money given to a beggar
2
: an information sheet for free distribution
3
: a prepared statement released to the press

More from Merriam-Webster on handout

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!