hand-to-hand

1 of 2

adjective

: involving physical contact or close enough range for physical contact
hand-to-hand fighting

hand to hand

2 of 2

adverb

: at very close range

Examples of hand-to-hand in a Sentence

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.
Adjective
Two dozen soldiers from India and China, both nuclear powers, died in high-altitude, hand-to-hand combat in 2020. New York Times, 11 Oct. 2024 The movie is a taught thriller that sees a former military hand-to-hand combat expert take on the corrupt police department of a small southern town. Andrew Wimer, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2024
Adverb
Some common milestones for 7-month-olds include: Transfers objects from hand to hand. Ashley Ziegler, Parents, 11 July 2024 On the edges of the encampment, dozens of people were fighting hand to hand, some wrestling over barricades while others grappled to the ground, the Los Angeles Times reported. Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 1 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for hand-to-hand 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1833, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hand-to-hand was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near hand-to-hand

hand-tight

hand-to-hand

hand to hand

Cite this Entry

“Hand-to-hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hand-to-hand. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

hand-to-hand

adjective
ˌhan-tə-ˈhand
: involving physical contact
hand-to-hand combat

More from Merriam-Webster on hand-to-hand

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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