# handcuff

/ˈhændˌkəf/ (US) · /hˈændkʌf/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/handcuff
Updated: 2026-10-18

## Definition

a metal ring with a lock that police use to join a person's wrists together to stop them escaping.

For teachers: a pair of lockable metal restraints joined by a chain or bar, designed to secure the wrists together. Typically used by law enforcement to restrain a suspect.

## Examples

- The officer locks a handcuff around the man's wrist.
- After the arrest, the officers secure the suspect's hands with handcuffs and lead him to the patrol car.
- The detective produced a worn pair of handcuffs that had restrained countless suspects over two decades of night shifts in the city.

## Usage notes

- Usually used in the plural 'handcuffs' for the pair; the singular refers to one wrist restraint.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.