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
Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2024
That, however, did not stop residents from accusing the county of helping give a highly profitable corporation government handouts.
—Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 June 2024
Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 2 July 2024
The organization handed out black shirts with a heart on them, the same shirt Nguyen wore in the picture next to the elevation sign.
—Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for handout 
Noun
In the Michoacán city of Uruapan, a center of the avocado industry, out-of-work field workers have been seeking handouts from motorists in recent days, local media have reported.
—Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2024
That, however, did not stop residents from accusing the county of helping give a highly profitable corporation government handouts.
—Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 June 2024
Verb
The first occasion came when the award was handed out for the very first time by the league in May 2017.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 2 July 2024
The organization handed out black shirts with a heart on them, the same shirt Nguyen wore in the picture next to the elevation sign.
—Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for handout
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'handout.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near handout
Cite this Entry
“Handout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handout. Accessed 7 Jul. 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
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