hand·out
ˈhand-ˌau̇t 
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
handed out; handing out; hands out
1
a
: to give without charge
b
: to give freely
2
: administer
handed out a severe punishment
Synonyms
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
Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 31 Oct. 2024
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
Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
All will have bracelets to hand out celebrating this moment.
—Cindi Andrews, The Indianapolis Star, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for handout 
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.
Noun
The potential scale of cash handouts to households is limited by the financially strained position of China’s local governments.
—Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 31 Oct. 2024
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
Verb
The largest contract the Red Sox handed out that offseason was a two-year $38.5 million contract to righty Lucas Giolito, who did not pitch a single inning in 2024 following an elbow injury in spring training.
—Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
All will have bracelets to hand out celebrating this moment.
—Cindi Andrews, The Indianapolis Star, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for handout
Dictionary Entries Near handout
Cite this Entry
“Handout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handout. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
handout
noun
hand·out
ˈhan-ˌdau̇t
1
: food, clothing, or money given to a beggar
2
: an information sheet for free distribution
3
: a prepared statement released to the press
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share