handshake

noun

hand·​shake ˈhan(d)-ˌshāk How to pronounce handshake (audio)
: a clasping usually of right hands by two people (as in greeting or farewell)

Examples of handshake in a Sentence

She greeted him with a handshake. He has a firm handshake.
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.
There's no doubt that the rematch at Mohegan Sun two days before Thanksgiving will have a lot of eyes on the pregame and postgame handshakes. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026 Andreatta has disputed descriptions of the exchange as an altercation, saying the conversation ended with a handshake. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026 Plenty of Istanbul firms run on contracts, and plenty of London ones run on handshakes. — Ali Aydan, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026 No one gets to appreciate Connie’s handshake because everyone but Gazza and Clazza (that’s Clara’s new nickname) is still working. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for handshake

Word History

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of handshake was in 1802

Phrases Containing handshake

Rhymes for handshake

See All Rhymes for handshake

Browse Nearby Words

hands-free
handshake
handshaker
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Handshake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handshake. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

handshake

noun
hand·​shake -ˌshāk How to pronounce handshake (audio)
: a clasping of hands by two people especially in greeting or farewell
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