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
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
Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2025
But as a stand-alone measure, carbon capture starts looking more like a handout to the oil industry.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2025
Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
Inspired by Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, Book is handing out friendship bracelets along the way, some made by survivors with their names and ages.
—Bryan West, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handout
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Noun
In this handout photo released by the South Korean Defense Ministry, South Korean navy vessels taking part in a naval drill off the east coast on September 4, 2017 in East Sea, South Korea.
—Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2025
But as a stand-alone measure, carbon capture starts looking more like a handout to the oil industry.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2025
Verb
During the 60-day grace period between Jan. 1 and March 1, the city handed out 1,500 warnings to people who violated the law.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
Inspired by Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, Book is handing out friendship bracelets along the way, some made by survivors with their names and ages.
—Bryan West, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handout
Cite this Entry
“Handout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handout. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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
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