hand down

verb

handed down; handing down; hands down

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 15th Court of Appeals, which has exclusive jurisdiction over appellate disputes that deal with state actions and legislative constitutionality, handed down the decision last week. Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 12 July 2025 Before handing down the sentence, Goering read aloud letters that had been submitted by Williams and the girl's family. Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 9 July 2025 The maximum sentence for the transportation counts is 20 years — and that’s only if the judge makes the exceedingly rare move of handing down consecutive sentences for each count — compared with a possible maximum of life imprisonment. Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 2 July 2025 The Supreme Court handed down a slew of decisions to wrap up its term yesterday. Taylor Wilson, USA Today, 1 July 2025 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

Cite this Entry

“Hand down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hand%20down. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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

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