handshaking

American  

[hand-shey-king] / ˈhændˌʃeɪ kɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or practice of shaking hands.

   Handshaking was discouraged during the pandemic to avoid transmission of the virus.

   The traveler was sent off with many handshakings and words of advice.

2. handshake.

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handshaking British  

/ ˈhændˌʃeɪkɪŋ /

noun

1. computing communication between a computer system and an external device, by which each tells the other that data is ready to be transferred, and that the receiver is ready to accept it

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Etymology

Origin of handshaking

First recorded in 1970–75; handshake ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

handshaking

Some historians have suggested that the rise of handshaking replaced hat-doffing, but Capp disagrees.

From Science Daily ● May 7, 2026

To disguise the swelling caused by hours of handshaking, Volk suggested Lincoln grasp a sawed-off broomstick.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 13, 2026

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in July that Trump had been diagnosed with CVI, and that his bruises were the result of “frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin.”

From Salon ● Sep. 3, 2025

The White House has said it is unrelated to the vein condition but is instead bruising as a result of frequent handshaking.

From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2025

Usually there was a lot of handshaking and friendly conversation after service, but today everyone hurried out, grabbing their children and rushing to their own homes.

From "Stella by Starlight" by Sharon M. Draper