# handing

/ˈhændɪŋ/ (US) · /hˈændɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/handing
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. giving something by hand

verb · CEFR A2

giving something to someone by holding it in your hand and passing it to them.

For teachers: the act of passing or delivering something to another person using the hands. Transitive; requires a direct object.

- She was handing out flyers to everyone who walked past the shop.
- The witness was seen handing a sealed envelope to the investigator just moments before the hearing commenced.

Usage: Often used with 'out' or 'over' to specify the type of delivery.

### 2. the act of passing

noun · CEFR B2

the physical act of passing an object to another person.

For teachers: the specific instance or method of transferring an object from one person to another.

- The careful handing of the fragile vase prevented it from breaking.
- The protocol required the formal handing of the keys to the new governor during the inauguration ceremony.

## Examples

- She is handing the keys to the driver.
- The waiter is handing the menu to the guests as they sit down at the table.
- By handing the baton to her teammate with such precision, she ensured the relay team maintained their lead through the final turn of the race.

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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.