handheld

Or hand-held

[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.

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of handheld¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

The best tailgate foods are simple, handheld, and built for grab-and-go snacking.

From Salon

He pointed to a transcranial magnetic stimulation device, a small handheld machine that has been proven effective in treating depression by boosting helpful brain activity and reducing harmful brain patterns.

From Los Angeles Times

Every episode of “The Paper” features an opening credits montage of archival footage from the pre-Internet era, before the 24-hour news cycle and handheld devices ruled the information space.

From Salon

As leather-clad Latinos entered the theater, they were greeted with giant skeletons, handheld rave lights and a packed dance floor.

From Los Angeles Times

His handheld drone detector shows multiple Russian drones in the area.

From BBC