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Synonyms

handshake

American  
[hand-sheyk] / ˈhændˌʃeɪk /

noun

  1. a gripping and shaking of right hands by two individuals, such as to symbolize greeting, congratulation, agreement, or farewell.

    It was a verbal contract, sealed with a firm handshake.

  2. Computers. Also handshaking. an exchange of predetermined signals between networked or linked devices that is made when a connection is initially established or at intervals during data transmission in order to assure proper synchronization (also used attributively).

    A successful handshake is required between the server and client before the application will launch.

    Two handshake signals are exchanged between the computer and the printer—one from each device.
handshake British  
/ ˈhændˌʃeɪk /

noun

  1. the act of grasping and shaking a person's hand, as when being introduced or agreeing on a deal

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
handshake Idioms  

  1. see golden handshake.

Etymology

Origin of handshake

First recorded in 1870–75; hand + shake

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

How many of us learned Friday night about the vaunted tradition of the coaches’ pregame handshake?

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

Close friends dining across the room from each other might exchange a wave or a quick handshake, but unsolicited business pitches go against the restaurant’s unwritten code of conduct, members say.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

It would take more than two years of round-the-clock campaigning just to give each and every one a quick handshake.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 8, 2026

"Brook played proper cricketing shots and he desreved a handshake, so I went to him and shook his hand in appreciation," said Afridi.

From Barron's • Feb. 24, 2026

“What is it? You keep staring at me. I told you, we know each other now, after that handshake, so that means you can tell me anything.”

From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.