hand down

verb

handed down; handing down; hands down
Synonyms of hand downnext

transitive verb

1
: to transmit in succession (as from father to son)
2
: to make official formulation of and express (the opinion of a court)

Examples of hand down in a Sentence

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.
The case could soon be appealed back to the Supreme Court, days after the justices handed down a procedural decision that allowed the administration to move ahead. — Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 The House Ethics Committee handed down its recommendation that Edwards be censured earlier this month, and his peers are expected to vote on the suggestion in the coming days. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026 Typically, Reiner said, once an indictment is handed down, they would be removed from office by the governor. — Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 The stories are handed down through centuries and millennia; only the form changes. — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hand down

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hand down was in 1651

Rhymes for hand down

See All Rhymes for hand down

Browse Nearby Words

H and D curve
hand down
hand down a decision
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hand down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hand%20down. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hand down

verb
1
: to pass down from older to younger (as from parent to child)
2
: to form and express a judicial decision

Legal Definition

hand down

transitive verb
1
: to deliver (the decision or opinion of an appellate court) to the proper office of an inferior court
2
: to make an official formulation of and announce (the decision of a court)

More from Merriam-Webster on hand down

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hand down

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