handout

1 of 2

noun

hand·​out ˈhand-ˌau̇t 

1

sometimes disapproving : food, clothing, or money given to someone who is poor

also : money given to a person or organization by the government

2

: a folder or circular of information for free distribution

3

: a prepared statement released to the news media

hand out

2 of 2

verb

handed out; handing out; hands out

transitive verb

1

a

: to give without charge

b

: to give freely

2

: administer

handed out a severe punishment

Synonyms of handout

Verb

• distribute
• dispense
• provide
• deal (out)
• allocate
• divide
• dole out
• portion
• supply

Examples of handout in a Sentence

Noun

He sat on the sidewalk asking for a handout.

The family wasn't interested in government handouts.

The handouts had all the major points of his speech outlined on them.

Verb

no system yet in place for handing out room assignments

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

While some American buyers--particularly the well-off--were lured into purchasing EVs thanks to federal and state handouts, most drivers resisted such products out of fears regarding long charging times and limited battery range. — Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026

In a country known for its bootstrap individualism, this was a monumental handout; officials ultimately doled out an area the size of Pakistan. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026

Verb

There were water trucks, stations handing out sack lunches, and friendly marshals directing people toward their respective routes leading to the Lincoln Memorial. — Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026

Singer is president and CEO at Los Angeles’ Children’s Institute, the organization handing out the recognition. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for handout

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

handout

noun

hand·​out ˈhan-ˌdau̇t 

1

: food, clothing, or money given to a beggar

2

: an information sheet for free distribution

3

: a prepared statement released to the press