hand down
Britishverb
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to leave to a later period or generation; bequeath
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to pass (an outgrown garment) on from one member of a family to a younger one
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law to announce or deliver (a verdict)
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Bequeath to one's heirs, as in The silver and jewels have been handed down from generation to generation in that family . [Late 1600s]
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Make and pronounce an official decision, especially the verdict of a court. For example, The judge wasted no time in handing down a sentence of contempt of court . [First half of 1900s] Also see hand on ; hand over .
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.
The justices will hand down a ruling in Chatrie vs.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2026
Prosecutors earlier asked the three judges to hand down a sentence of seven years and seven months.
From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026
Whether that will affect 2026 depends on when they hand down the opinion and how quickly the states could adapt.
From Salon • Jan. 23, 2026
"The court plans to hand down its ruling on Yoon's case on Feb. 19," Yonhap reported.
From Barron's • Jan. 13, 2026
Master Watson slapped his hand down on his desk.
From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham
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.
