hand·out
ˈhand-ˌau̇t 
1
sometimes disapproving
: food, clothing, or money given to someone who is poor
also
: money given to a person or organization by the government
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
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
Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Aurora Police Officer Mark Moore and his K9 Cyrus are seen in an undated handout photo.
—Austen Erblat, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Cogbill was also handing out wine club members-for-a-day cards so guests could get a 15 % discount plus a complimentary glass of wine.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for handout
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Noun
Las Vegas and the state of Nevada gave the Athletics hundreds of millions of dollars to build their new stadium on The Strip, a handout that Oakland likely couldn’t match.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Aurora Police Officer Mark Moore and his K9 Cyrus are seen in an undated handout photo.
—Austen Erblat, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
Two volunteers with the cycling advocacy group People for Mobility Justice handed out helmets and lights to everyone who took a bike.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Cogbill was also handing out wine club members-for-a-day cards so guests could get a 15 % discount plus a complimentary glass of wine.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for handout
Cite this Entry
“Handout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handout. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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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