handheld

adjective

hand·​held ˈhan(d)-ˌheld How to pronounce handheld (audio)
-ˈheld
: held in the hand
especially : designed to be operated while being held in the hand
handheld computers
handheld noun

Examples of handheld 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.
In November, Sony added support for cloud gaming to its handheld PlayStation Portal, meaning users could access over 120 PS5 titles, such as Ghost of Tsushima and Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, with nothing but a connection to PSN and the device. Will McCurdy, PCMAG, 8 Feb. 2025 Nearly every handheld vacuum cleaner comes with attachments for picking up hair or fur on carpets, brush and crevice tools, and smooth upholstery attachments. Molly Higgins, WIRED, 7 Feb. 2025 And true to fiction, there is a handheld version too. Jason Ogaard, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025 The trooper shined their handheld flashlight in the cabin of the vehicle in an attempt to wake the male driver. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for handheld 

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of handheld was in 1891

Dictionary Entries Near handheld

Cite this Entry

“Handheld.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handheld. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

handheld

adjective
hand·​held -ˌheld How to pronounce handheld (audio)
: held in the hand
especially : designed to be used while being held in the hand
a handheld computer
handheld noun

More from Merriam-Webster on handheld

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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