hand·out
ˈhand-ˌau̇t 
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
handed out; handing out; hands out
1
a
: to give without charge
b
: to give freely
2
: administer
handed out a severe punishment
Synonyms
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
Lauren Groff, The New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2024
Hong Kong has found many plant and animal fossils, including ostracod and ammonite fossils from about 400 to 190 million years ago, but this is the first time dinosaur fossils have been unearthed in the city, the handout said.
—Peter Guo, NBC News, 24 Oct. 2024
Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 8 Dec. 2024
Something to add to the helpful list of Dune terminology that was handed out to moviegoers before the 1984 version.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for handout 
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
Here’s last week’s handouts, the instructor said, read them at your leisure at home, and gave Eliza a toothy smile that turned the austere face suddenly soft and dimpled.
—Lauren Groff, The New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2024
Hong Kong has found many plant and animal fossils, including ostracod and ammonite fossils from about 400 to 190 million years ago, but this is the first time dinosaur fossils have been unearthed in the city, the handout said.
—Peter Guo, NBC News, 24 Oct. 2024
Verb
Hacks, 9-1-1, Bookie and Unstoppable were among the winners as Film Liaisons in California Statewide handed out its 29th annual California on Location Awards tonight at the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 8 Dec. 2024
Something to add to the helpful list of Dune terminology that was handed out to moviegoers before the 1984 version.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for handout
Dictionary Entries Near handout
Cite this Entry
“Handout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handout. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
handout
noun
hand·out
ˈhan-ˌdau̇t
1
: food, clothing, or money given to a beggar
2
: an information sheet for free distribution
3
: a prepared statement released to the press
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share