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
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
John Ruwitch, NPR, 30 Oct. 2025
For Adams, who was cutting back library hours to pay for the shelters and taking political heat for giving handouts to migrants, that was not a satisfying answer.
—Molly Ball, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
The Lord of Karma doesn’t allow shortcuts or hand out easy rewards; its wisdom is sacred and earned through experience.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handout
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Noun
For years, the Chinese government has been trying various tactics to try to boost the birthrate, including cash handouts of 3,600 yuan ($507) for each child until the child turns three.
—John Ruwitch, NPR, 30 Oct. 2025
For Adams, who was cutting back library hours to pay for the shelters and taking political heat for giving handouts to migrants, that was not a satisfying answer.
—Molly Ball, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
The inaugural Adriatic Film & TV Awards (AFA Awards) have been handed out to honor the region’s best achievements in film and television, with Croatian Oscar contender Fiume o morte!
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
The Lord of Karma doesn’t allow shortcuts or hand out easy rewards; its wisdom is sacred and earned through experience.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handout
Cite this Entry
“Handout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handout. Accessed 31 Oct. 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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