handout

1 of 2

noun

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

hand out

2 of 2

verb

handed out; handing out; hands out

transitive verb

1

a

: to give without charge

b

: to give freely

2

: administer

handed out a severe punishment

Synonyms

Verb

• administer
• allocate
• apportion
• deal (out)
• dispense
• distribute
• dole out
• mete (out)
• parcel (out)
• portion
• prorate

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

Noun

The potential scale of cash handouts to households is limited by the financially strained position of China’s local governments. —Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 31 Oct. 2024

As fewer patients pay their bills, hospitals also face long-term revenue risks, prompting them to seek further government handouts. —Ge Bai, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Verb

The largest contract the Red Sox handed out that offseason was a two-year $38.5 million contract to righty Lucas Giolito, who did not pitch a single inning in 2024 following an elbow injury in spring training. —Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

All will have bracelets to hand out celebrating this moment. —Cindi Andrews, The Indianapolis Star, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids 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