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  • hand-out
    hand-out
    noun
    clothing, food, or money given to a needy person
  • hand out
    hand out
    Distribute, as in The teacher handed out the test papers. [Late 1800s] For a synonym, see pass out, def. 1.
Synonyms

hand-out

British  

noun

  1. clothing, food, or money given to a needy person

  2. a leaflet, free sample, etc, given out to publicize something

  3. a statement or other document distributed to the press or an audience to confirm, supplement, or replace an oral presentation

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to distribute

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
hand out Idioms  
  1. Distribute, as in The teacher handed out the test papers. [Late 1800s] For a synonym, see pass out, def. 1.


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.

That suggested it felt no urgency to hand out new policy measures even while it repeated assurances about stabilizing markets and the need for energy security.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

Theodore Payne will also have merchandise available for purchase and other seed packets to hand out.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

"We have to ask if the measures being taken now to contain the spread and hand out preventative antibiotics should have started sooner."

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the body that will hand out the Oscars in Hollywood on March 15, last year updated its rules to say it was neutral on the technology.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

I ease my hand out of Mom’s and hesitate at the door.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

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