handout

[ hand-out ]

noun

1. a portion of food or the like given to a needy person, as a beggar.
2. press release.
3. any printed, typed, mimeographed, or photocopied copy of information, as a speech, policy statement, or fact sheet given to reporters, attendees at a meeting, or the like.
4. anything given away for nothing, as a free sample of a product by an advertiser.

Word History and Origins

Origin of handout¹

First recorded in 1880–85 handout fordef 1 and in 1905–10 handout fordef 2; noun use of verb phrase hand out

Example Sentences

Shor denies wrongdoing but did promise cash handouts to people prepared to back his call for a "firm No" to the EU.

From BBC

One handout was a sticker for “CNN” where the “C” was replaced with a “hammer and sickle.”

From Salon

Missouri, Kansas and Idaho think it’s of paramount importance to keep up the rates of teen pregnancy, lest they lose a congressional seat here or there or a few bucks in federal handouts.

From Los Angeles Times

Her handouts to local workers now include a list of emergency numbers, useful in the case of extreme weather and natural disasters, but also threats of violence.

From BBC

Three current and former Albertsons executors were also in on the handout.

From Los Angeles Times