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.
Federal prosecutors urged the judge to hand down an eight-year sentence.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
At the conclusion of the hearing on Wednesday, Mr Justice Mould said he would hand down his judgement at a later date.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
The Supreme Court held oral argument for both cases in mid-January, and the justices are expected to hand down a ruling at the end of June or early July.
From Salon ● Jun. 18, 2026
The Supreme Court has entered its final stretch of the term, with about two dozen opinions to hand down before the justices flee for their summer break at the end of June.
From Slate ● Jun. 1, 2026
“Get up,” Hassan said, reaching a hand down.
From "An Abundance of Katherines" by John Green
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.
