handheld

adjective

hand·​held ˈhan(d)-ˌheld How to pronounce handheld (audio)
-ˈheld
: held in the hand
especially : designed to be operated while being held in the hand
handheld computers
handheld
ˈhan(d)-ˌheld How to pronounce handheld (audio)
noun

Examples of handheld 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.
Go for this handheld fan with a carabiner that attaches to your purse. — Nneya Richards, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2026 Eat them as a handheld snack, peel and freeze them for smoothies, or use the overripe ones to make a healthy banana bread. — Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 6 July 2026 If your handheld vacuum struggles to reach a space, let this gel grab hold of the grime—no water, sprays, or extra tools required. — Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 2026 To freshen drapes between cleanings, use a handheld vacuum to remove dust and a steam cleaner to help remove odors. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for handheld

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of handheld was in 1891

Rhymes for handheld

See All Rhymes for handheld

Browse Nearby Words

handhabend
handheld
handhold
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Handheld.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handheld. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

handheld

adjective
hand·​held -ˌheld How to pronounce handheld (audio)
: held in the hand
especially : designed to be used while being held in the hand
a handheld computer
handheld noun

More from Merriam-Webster on handheld

Nglish: Translation of handheld for Spanish Speakers

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

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All