handheld

American  

[hand-held] / ˈhændˌhɛld /

Or hand-held

adjective

1. held in the hand or hands.

   a handheld torch.

2. small enough to be used or operated while being held in the hand or hands.

   a handheld hair drier.

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noun

1. something small enough to be used or operated while held in the hand or hands.

   She traded in her bulky old movie camera for a handheld.

Etymology

Origin of handheld

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

The internet boom and the rise of trendy handheld devices and gadgets that came in a rainbow array of colorways feels like eons ago now.

From Salon • May 30, 2026

With the help of large handheld food mixers, they carefully grind the mixture of dried Californian grapes and water, which they then ferment before distilling it in a large still imported from Germany.

From Barron's • May 2, 2026

He appeared in adverts for Sony's handheld PlayStation Vita console and the company’s popular quiz show-themed party game, Buzz.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

From the giant ones at the Hollywood Bowl the size of a Fiat to handheld ones at a small club that fit on a barstool, you will find them everywhere all week long.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026

Radar put the handheld away finally and nodded sympathetically.

From "Paper Towns" by John Green