hand up

verb

handed up; handing up; hands up

transitive verb

of a jury
: to deliver (an indictment) to a judge or higher judicial authority

Examples of hand up 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 Rolling Stones star, who just turned 83 in late July, shared a video on his Instagram of himself dancing with his hands up under a disco ball in what appears to be a club. — Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026 While someone off-camera told the riders to keep their hands up and not close their eyes, RAYE excitedly raised her own hands into the air before nudging Jordan to do the same. — Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026 The Queen had been in a classroom, where she and her 15 followers were repeatedly told to come out with their hands up. — Zander Sherman, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026 Artur fell to the ground, grimaced in pain and held his hand up to get the referee’s attention. — Latif Love august 2, Kansas City Star, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hand up

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hand up was in 1970

Rhymes for hand up

See All Rhymes for hand up

Browse Nearby Words

hand tub
hand up
hand vise
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hand up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hand%20up. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Legal Definition

hand up

transitive verb
: to deliver (an indictment) to a judge or higher judicial authority
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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