hand up

verb

handed up; handing up; hands up

transitive verb

of a jury
: to deliver (an indictment) to a judge or higher judicial authority

Examples of hand up 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.
Shia with their hands down, Sunni with their hands up on their abdomen. — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 9 June 2026 But with Robinson’s hand up, Wembanyama missed a good look from inside the 3-point line just before time expired. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 June 2026 Jung Hoo Lee, one of three runners on base, instantly threw his hands up in the air, celebrating a story yet to be written. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 10 June 2026 Cohen throws his hands up in the air in shock, prompting Jonathan to continue his tale about the Grammy-winning icon, 80. — Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for hand up

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hand up was in 1970

Rhymes for hand up

See All Rhymes for hand up

Browse Nearby Words

hand tub
hand up
hand vise
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hand up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hand%20up. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Legal Definition

hand up

transitive verb
: to deliver (an indictment) to a judge or higher judicial authority
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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