hand down

verb

handed down; handing down; hands down

transitive verb

1

: to transmit in succession (as from father to son)

2

: to make official formulation of and express (the opinion of a court)

Examples of hand down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Shaiman and Wittman’s score is, hands down, among of the best musical theater creations in recent memory. —Christian Lewis, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025

With the who’s who of Paris Fashion Week in attendance from Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Kelly Rutherford and Leighton Meester — this was hands down one of the most seductive shows, with an abundance of fur and breathtaking silk gowns. —Footwear News, 8 Apr. 2025

Manhattan Federal Judge John Cronan handed down the sentence to Herman Brightman, 31, of West New York, NJ, who pleaded guilty last July to traveling in interstate commerce to commit a crime of violence and sending interstate threats. —Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2025

But ultimately, the best use of corn is hands down roasting it in a skillet. —Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for hand down

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown

Kids Definition

hand down

verb

1

: to pass down from older to younger (as from parent to child)

2

: to form and express a judicial decision

Legal Definition

hand down

transitive verb

1

: to deliver (the decision or opinion of an appellate court) to the proper office of an inferior court

2

: to make an official formulation of and announce (the decision of a court)