handshake

noun

hand·​shake ˈhan(d)-ˌshāk How to pronounce handshake (audio)
: a clasping usually of right hands by two people (as in greeting or farewell)

Examples of handshake in a Sentence

She greeted him with a handshake. He has a firm handshake.
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.
Abbott looked me in the eyes and returned the handshake with a smile. Nicole Russell, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025 Following Tuesday’s game, Butler walked over to greet a few friends by the court before heading back to the Warriors locker room without exchanging any handshakes or words with his former Heat teammates and coaches. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2025 Another starter features perhaps the finest handshake of the two culinary traditions — a piece of bone marrow, wood-fired and infused with New York deli delicacies, pastrami and sauerkraut. Spencer Whaley, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025 As the president greeted Mr. Macron at the entrance to the West Wing on Monday, the two engaged in a vigorous handshake in which both seemed in a lighthearted but pointed way trying to assert masculine dominance, reminiscent of similar encounters during Mr. Trump’s first term. Peter Baker, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for handshake

Word History

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of handshake was in 1802

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Handshake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handshake. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

handshake

noun
hand·​shake -ˌshāk How to pronounce handshake (audio)
: a clasping of hands by two people especially in greeting or farewell

More from Merriam-Webster on handshake

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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