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
Yue Wang, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
The authorities have at times acknowledged those demands, such as in their promises to combat wage arrears for migrant workers, or provide holiday handouts to homeless people or people with disabilities.
—Vivian Wang, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
April Rubin, Axios, 20 Jan. 2025
Earlier this month, the couple — who got engaged in December — handed out food to first responders amid the Los Angeles fires.
—Daniela Avila, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for handout 
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Noun
To support the economy, authorities might introduce more fiscal stimulus measures, including potentially setting aside 1 trillion yuan ($137 billion) to boost social welfare spending and give cash handouts to families with children, according to Hutong Research’s Guo.
—Yue Wang, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
The authorities have at times acknowledged those demands, such as in their promises to combat wage arrears for migrant workers, or provide holiday handouts to homeless people or people with disabilities.
—Vivian Wang, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
Zoom out: Presidents tend to hand out more pardons during their final weeks in office.
—April Rubin, Axios, 20 Jan. 2025
Earlier this month, the couple — who got engaged in December — handed out food to first responders amid the Los Angeles fires.
—Daniela Avila, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025
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 30 Jan. 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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