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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
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 Among the handouts was a bookmark with an illustration of a voting booth and two children outside. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
While this was going on, Harris’s campaign was handing out six-figure donations to groups that support defunding the police and reparation payments to blacks to apologize for slavery. Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 2 Nov. 2024 On Halloween night, King hands out candy to trick-or-treaters at their office while Carpenter stays home to watch sports or play video games. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 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 14 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
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