handout

American  

[hand-out] / ˈhændˌaʊt /

noun

• handouts
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• handouts
  plural

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

Explanation

A handout is something that's given to a person in need. A useful handout for someone who doesn't have a home might be food, money, or clothing. Handouts are anything that a person, government, charity, or other organization freely donates to needy people. While the word originated in the 1880s and gained popularity during the Great Depression among so-called "hobos," people who had to live entirely on the charity of others, handout has taken on a negative connotation in modern times. It's more often used to criticize the government or tax rates than to mean "a generous, thoughtful donation."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

handout handouts

The handout he received would last no more than a week, he told AFP.

From Barron's ● Mar. 17, 2026

Except most of us aren’t in line for this handout.

From MarketWatch ● Feb. 13, 2026

The introduction of a $7 monthly handout drew only derision.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 17, 2026

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 ● Dec. 26, 2025

“It’s not a handout if you’re giving back,” Bernadette says, pushing the ketchup toward Maggie.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

He said the country's businesses had a "parent-child mentality" with the central government and relied too often on handouts.

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

Players used to supervision, with worksheet handouts and a full week of instruction, had to complete assignments online and independently.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 2026

The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with the population relying on handouts and lacking proper sanitation and shelter.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 27, 2026

Hundreds of Philippine tricycle drivers lined up Tuesday in Manila for cash handouts they hope will provide temporary relief from a war-driven surge in fuel prices that has left the country scrambling for short-term answers.

From Barron's ● Mar. 17, 2026

I don’t want to polish it off too quickly or I’ll look like I’m begging for handouts.

From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko