handheld
Americanadjective
-
held in the hand or hands.
a handheld torch.
-
small enough to be used or operated while being held in the hand or hands.
a handheld hair drier.
noun
Etymology
Origin of handheld
First recorded in 1920–25
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Emerging portable testing methods include X-ray fluorescence analysers for turmeric and handheld DNA kits to test olive oil.
From BBC
Chase pulled the handheld GPS out of his go bag and fired it up.
From Literature
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He added: "People need to be handheld around the route, otherwise it's a very, very complicated area to navigate, even if you know what you're doing."
From BBC
"Nintendo's roster includes games geared towards younger audiences, and, as a handheld console, it made the Switch incredibly popular."
From BBC
The company has also branched out into creating its own hardware such as the Steam Deck in 2022, a portable, handheld gaming computer that allows users to play Steam games on the go.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.