hand-to-hand

1 of 2

adjective

ˈhan(d)-tə-ˈhand 

ˈhan-də-

: involving physical contact or close enough range for physical contact

hand-to-hand fighting

hand to hand

2 of 2

adverb

: at very close range

Examples of hand-to-hand in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Troops most recently clashed there in 2022 and in 2020, when hand-to-hand fighting between the two sides resulted in the deaths of at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers in Aksai Chin. —Brad Lendon, CNN, 14 Sep. 2024

Saulnier’s script suggests his thorough research into the fine points of police procedure, licit and illicit, and likewise into the intricacies of judicial authority and hand-to-hand combat (including minutiae about firearms and ammunition). —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2024

Adverb

Some common milestones for 7-month-olds include: Transfers objects from hand to hand. —Ashley Ziegler, Parents, 11 July 2024

On the edges of the encampment, dozens of people were fighting hand to hand, some wrestling over barricades while others grappled to the ground, the Los Angeles Times reported. —Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 1 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1833, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

hand-to-hand

adjective

ˌhan-tə-ˈhand

: involving physical contact

hand-to-hand combat