overhand

1 of 3

adjective

over·​hand ˈō-vər-ˌhand How to pronounce overhand (audio)
: made with the hand brought forward and down from above shoulder level
overhand adverb
overhanded adverb or adjective

overhand

2 of 3

verb

overhanded; overhanding; overhands

transitive verb

: to sew with short vertical stitches

overhand

3 of 3

noun

: an overhand stroke (as in handball)

Examples of overhand 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.
Adjective
Williams could serve overhand aces in the court of public policy and run from one of her residences in California or Florida. David Paleologos, USA TODAY, 16 May 2024 Manuel, though only around a pound heavier than Gutierrez, is more muscular, and uses his heft to establish an early advantage, double-jabbing the body and head to set up left hooks and overhand rights, always moving forward. Ben Wyatt, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2023
Verb
Unlike most of the other women in the field, Lenglen served overhanded. Jon Wertheim and Jacob Feldman, SI.com, 27 June 2019 Rizzo was visibly upset after getting plunked, throwing his bat overhanded toward the Chicago dugout. USA TODAY, 27 Sep. 2017
Noun
Serrano landed a clean overhand left early and later in the round another one that buckled Taylor before time expired. Greg Rosenstein, NBC News, 16 Nov. 2024 Grip the band at each end with an overhand grip and raise your arms to shoulder height. Leoni Jesner, Health, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for overhand 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1656, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1871, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1934, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overhand was in 1656

Dictionary Entries Near overhand

Cite this Entry

“Overhand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overhand. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

overhand

1 of 2 adjective
over·​hand ˈō-vər-ˌhand How to pronounce overhand (audio)
: made with the hand brought forward and down from above shoulder level
an overhand pitch
an overhand tennis stroke
overhand adverb
overhanded adverb

overhand

2 of 2 noun
: an overhand stroke (as in tennis)
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