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

Inside, a handheld camera noses into personal conversations like another participant.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

"Because we suspect this ability may be more widespread than currently documented," Osuna-Mascaró says, "we invite readers who have observed cows or bulls using sticks or other handheld objects for purposeful actions to contact us."

From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2026

Filming from the ground floor with handheld cameras that wouldn’t stir museum security’s suspicion, P.A.I.N. captured a truly remarkable sight as the Sackler’s blizzard came to life.

From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026

His handheld, live camera work provides projected images throughout the production’s 80 minutes, with close-ups showing dance action that the audience would otherwise not see.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

It was like my elementary music teacher, banging on a handheld wood block with a little mallet.

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen