hand down

verb

handed down; handing down; hands down

transitive verb

1

: to transmit in succession (as from father to son)

2

: to make official formulation of and express (the opinion of a court)

Examples of hand down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Most are just assumptions handed down or picked up along the way, never questioned or challenged. —Jodie Cook, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024

Regardless of whether this fan is part of Nurmagomedov's team, the Nevada State Athletic Commission is likely to investigate the matter and could end up handing down a suspension for Dvalishvili. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024

The Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) handed down the ban on Thursday, Dec. 5, according to the BBC. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024

When the Supreme Court hands down its ruling this summer, Daniel Trujillo will have already turned 18, meaning his access to care, for now, will not be impacted. —Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

hand down

verb

1

: to pass down from older to younger (as from parent to child)

2

: to form and express a judicial decision

Legal Definition

hand down

transitive verb

1

: to deliver (the decision or opinion of an appellate court) to the proper office of an inferior court

2

: to make an official formulation of and announce (the decision of a court)