HAND Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

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hand

1 of 3

noun

ˈhand often attributive Synonyms of hand 1 a (1) : the terminal part of the vertebrate forelimb when modified (as in humans) as a grasping organ : the body part at the end of the arm of a human, ape, or monkey holding a pair of scissors in his hand She put her hands over her eyes. (2) : the forelimb segment (such as the terminal section of a bird's wing) of a vertebrate higher than the fishes that corresponds to the hand irrespective of its form or functional specialization b : something resembling a hand: such as (1) : an indicator or pointer on a dial the hands of a clock (2) : a character ☞ used to direct particular attention (as to a note or paragraph) : fist , index (3) : a cluster of bananas developed from a single flower group (4) : a branched rootstock of ginger (5) : a bunch of large leaves (as of tobacco) tied together usually with another leaf c : a part serving the function of or resembling a hand: such as (1) : the hind foot of an ape (2) : the chela of a crustacean 2 a : personal possession usually used in plural The documents fell into the hands of the enemy. b : control , supervision usually used in plural left the matter in her hands 3 a : one of two sides or aspects of an issue or argument On the one hand we can appeal for peace, and on the other, declare war. b : side , direction soldiers fighting on either hand 4 a : assistance or aid especially involving physical effort lend a hand b : participation , interest had no hand in the decision c : a round of applause Let's give them a big hand . 5 a : skill , ability tried her hand at sailing b : an instrumental part had a hand in the victory 6 : a pledge especially of betrothal or bestowal in marriage He asked for her hand in marriage. 7 a (1) : the cards or pieces held by a player studied her hand (2) : a player in a card game or board game b : a single round in a game lost the first hand but won the next two c : the force or solidity of one's position (as in negotiations) trying to strengthen their hand 8 a (1) : a person employed at manual labor or general tasks a ranch hand (2) : worker , employee employed over a hundred hands b : a member of a ship's crew All hands on deck! c : a person who performs or executes a particular work two portraits by the same hand d : a person skilled in a particular action or pursuit a great hand at carpentry e : a specialist or veteran in a usually designated activity or region a Latin America hand 9 a : style of execution : workmanship the hand of a master b : handiwork , doings the hand of vandals c : the feel of or tactile reaction to something (such as silk or leather) 10 a : style of penmanship : handwriting wrote in a fancy hand b : signature 11 : a unit of measure equal to 4 inches (10.2 centimeters) used especially for the height of horses a horse that is 15 hands high 12 : a punch made with a specified hand knocked him out with a good right hand

hand

2 of 3

verb

handed ; handing ; hands

transitive verb

1 a : to give, pass, or transmit with the hand hand a letter to her b : to present or provide with handed him a surprise 2 : to lead, guide, or assist with the hand hand a lady into a bus 3 a : furl hand the sail b obsolete : to touch or manage with the hands also : to deal with

hand

3 of 3

adverb

: with the hands rather than by machine hand stitched Phrases at hand 1 : near in time or place : within reach use whatever ingredients are at hand 2 : currently receiving or deserving attention the business at hand at the hands of or less commonly at the hand of : by or through the action of suffering at the hands of a cruel dictator by hand 1 : with the hands or a hand-worked implement (such as a tool or pen) rather than with a machine 2 : from one individual directly to another deliver the document by hand in hand 1 : in one's possession or control had matters well in hand with money in hand 2 : in preparation a new play in hand 3 : under consideration took the matter in hand on all hands or on every hand : everywhere could hear scurrying noises on all hands on hand 1 : in present possession or readily available kept supplies on hand 2 : in attendance : present A priest was on hand to console them. 3 : about to appear : pending There was trouble on hand . on one s hands : in one's possession or care too much time on my hands out of hand 1 : out of control They let the situation get out of hand . 2 : without delay or deliberation also : in a summary or peremptory manner rejected the plan out of hand 3 : done with : finished 4 : with the hands fruit eaten out of hand to hand 1 : within reach weapons ready to hand 2 : into possession The letter … has come to hand … George Washington hand it to : to give credit to : concede the excellence of I have to hand it to him. He did a wonderful job.

Synonyms

Noun

angle aspect facet phase side

Verb

deliver feed furnish give hand over provide supply See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of hand in a Sentence

Noun These gloves will keep your hands warm. She put her hands over her eyes. He sat quietly with his hands folded in his lap. Do you need a hand ? Verb was happy to hand her grandmother's cookie recipes to the parish ladies to put in their cookbook the clerk handed her the receipt See More Recent Examples on the Web Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback . Noun And it can be used in two different ways: For gradual color, pump two to three drops into your daily moisturizer; for maximum color, dispense a small amount into the palm of your hand and spread evenly across your face. Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour , 10 Apr. 2025 To help reduce the spread, doctors say to wash hands often with soap and water, avoid sharing glasses or utensils with those who are infected, and cover the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com , 10 Apr. 2025 Adverb And putting money in people’s pockets goes hand -in-hand with social distancing policies, by defraying some of the costs of closing non-essential businesses, which in turn threatens the reliable paychecks of thousands of workers. Ben Adler, The New Republic , 13 Apr. 2020 The two phenomena go hand -in-hand: The Arctic Oscillation is positive because the polar vortex is strong. Doyle Rice, USA TODAY , 19 Feb. 2020 See All Example Sentences for hand

Word History

Etymology

Noun, Verb, and Adverb

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German hant hand

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3b

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler The first known use of hand was before the 12th century See more words from the same century

Phrases Containing hand

a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush a free hand a helping hand at first hand back of one's hand back of the hand bear a hand bite the hand that feeds one black hand by one's own hand by the hand cap in hand close at hand dab hand dead hand died by her own hand eat out of one's hand eat out of someone's hand eldest hand field hand force one's hand force someone's hand four - hand four - in - hand free hand give / lend me a hand with glad hand grease the hand of had / held the whip hand hand and foot hand and glove hand ax hand back hand baggage hand blender hand brake hand cream hand down hand down a decision hand - eye coordination hand - feed hand, foot and mouth disease hand gel hand glass hand - holding hand in hand in glove hand in hand hand it to hand lens hand luggage hand - me - down hand mixer hand off hand on hand organ hand out hand over hand over fist hand - painted hand puppet hand running hand signal hand to hand hand - to - mouth hand tool hand towel hand truck hand up hand waving hand - wringing hat in hand have a hand in have (someone) in the palm of one's hand heavy hand helping hand hour hand in the cup of someone's hand in the hollow of one's hand invisible hand iron hand keep one's hand in know something like the back of one's hand lay a hand on left - hand lend a hand minute hand near at hand note of hand oil the hand old hand on one hand on the one hand on the other hand overplay one's hand right hand right - hand man rule with an iron fist / hand running hand second hand section hand set one's hand to show one's hand sleight of hand sweep hand sweep - second hand the task at hand the upper hand the whip hand tip one's hand try one's hand turn a hand turn one's hand turn one's hand to upper hand wait on (someone) hand and foot whip hand with a heavy hand See More

Rhymes for hand

band banned bland brand canned fanned gland lande mande manned panned planned See All Rhymes for hand

Browse Nearby Words

hancockite hand Hand See all Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

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“Hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hand. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

hand

1 of 2 noun ˈhand 1 a : the free end part of the arm or forelimb when used (as in human beings) for handling, grasping, and holding b : any of various bodily parts (as the hind foot of an ape or the pincers of a crab) that are like the hand in structure or function 2 : something resembling a hand: as a : a pointer on a dial b : a figure of a hand with index finger extended to point something out c : a bunch of bananas 3 : personal possession : control in the hands of the enemy 4 a : side entry 1 sense 2 , direction fighting on either hand b : a side or point of view in an issue or argument on the one hand , we can declare a tie, or on the other hand , keep playing 5 : a pledge especially of marriage asked for her hand 6 : handwriting sense 2 7 : skill sense 1 , ability try one's hand at chess 8 a : assistance or help involving physical effort lend a hand b : a part or share in doing something take a hand in the work 9 : a unit of measure equal to 4 inches (about 10.2 centimeters) used especially for the height of horses 10 : a round of applause give him a hand 11 a : the cards or pieces held by a player in a game b : a single round in a game 12 a : one who performs or produces a work two portraits by the same hand b : a hired worker c : a member of a ship's crew all hands on deck d : one skilled in a particular activity or field an old hand at foreign affairs 13 : workmanship sense 2 the hand of a master

hand

2 of 2 verb 1 : to guide or assist with the hand 2 : to give or pass with or as if with the hand hand a person a letter

Medical Definition

hand

noun ˈhand often attributive 1 a (1) : the terminal part of the vertebrate forelimb when modified (as in humans) as a grasping organ (2) : the forelimb segment (as the terminal section of a bird's wing) of a vertebrate higher than the fishes that corresponds to the hand irrespective of its form or functional specialization b : a part serving the function of or resembling a hand especially : the hind foot of an ape c : something resembling a hand especially : an indicator or pointer on a dial 2 : a unit of measure equal to 4 inches or 10.2 centimeters used especially for the height of horses

Biographical Definition

Hand

biographical name

ˈhand (Billings) Learned 1872–1961 American jurist

More from Merriam-Webster on hand

Nglish: Translation of hand for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hand

Last Updated: 14 Apr 2025 - Updated example sentences Love words? Need even more definitions?

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