handout

American  

[hand-out] / ˈhændˌaʊt /

noun

1. a portion of food or the like given to a needy person, as a beggar.

2. press release.

3. any printed, typed, mimeographed, or photocopied copy of information, as a speech, policy statement, or fact sheet given to reporters, attendees at a meeting, or the like.

4. anything given away for nothing, as a free sample of a product by an advertiser.

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Etymology

Origin of handout

First recorded in 1880–85 handout for def. 1 and in 1905–10 handout for def. 2; noun use of verb phrase hand out

Example Sentences

Visitors to the state government website could mistake it for an internet scam because it advertises so many handouts—cash, housing support, child care, food, emergency assistance and more.

From The Wall Street Journal

Many of these families are victims of the earthquake which badly damaged Mandalay and surrounding areas in March, and are hoping for a handout.

From BBC

In our 25 years of working with refugee professionals, we know they aren’t asking for handouts.

From The Wall Street Journal

Give fewer handouts, but instead clear a path to success.

From The Wall Street Journal

Baroness Batters added: "Farmers don't want handouts from the state, they want nothing more than to run thriving, profitable farming businesses, by earning a fair return for what they produce."

From BBC