handshake
Americannoun
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handshakes
plural
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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.
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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.
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of handshake
Explanation
A handshake is the act of greeting someone by clasping their hand in yours and giving a brief, firm, up-and-down shake. It's fairly formal to greet another person with a handshake. It's appropriate to use a handshake, usually with the right hand, when you're being introduced to someone or presenting yourself at a job interview, for example. You can also use a handshake to seal an agreement or deal with another person. Handshakes were used as far back as the 5th century BCE in ancient Greece, and some historians believe the handshake was initially meant as a gesture proving that neither person held a weapon.
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.
See Examples For:
I swaddled it in paper and successfully completed my introductions with a non-moist handshake.
From Salon ● Sep. 23, 2026
As he finished helping a fellow trainee gear up, one paratrooper wished another good luck with a firm handshake.
From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026
Peter Harrap described the exhibition like a "handshake across time"
From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026
I met the 28-year-old on the top floor, where he opted for a warm, friendly hug in lieu of a firm business handshake.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026
I go in for a handshake and he’s coming in for a hug.
From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
He didn’t sit for long because Cynthia Erivo and Andy Garcia showed up and there were more hugs and handshakes and hellos.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 20, 2026
We have a long goodbye routine, which involves about 25 different secret handshakes and poses.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026
Stokes departed to handshakes from the New Zealanders and a standing ovation, leaving Test cricket with 7,273 runs and 252 wickets.
From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2026
Some banks also have longstanding relationships with their customers, especially in agriculture, where many deals rely on handshakes, said Lucas.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 7, 2026
Mrs. Buckminster and Turner went behind him and stood with him at the back of the church to endure the handshakes and knowing looks.
From "Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy" by Gary D. Schmidt
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.
