pan·han·dle
ˈpan-ˌhan-dᵊl 
: a narrow projection of a larger territory (such as a state)
the Oklahoma Panhandle
panhandled; panhandling
ˈpan-ˌhan(d)-liŋ
-ˌhan-dᵊl-iŋ
: to stop people on the street and ask for food or money : beg
Examples of panhandle in a Sentence
Noun
The Texas Panhandle is the northernmost part of the state.
Verb
He panhandled for his bus fare.
There is a law against panhandling in the subway.
Recent Examples on the Web
Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025
In the panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma, the NWS said wind chills could reach as low as 30 below.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025
Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 5 Feb. 2025
When he was arrested for panhandling in Kentucky on Jan. 10, 2020, the home address Caudill gave officers was a residential Denver facility that offers care to mentally ill teens and young adults who don’t respond to traditional treatment methods.
—Shelly Bradbury, The Denver Post, 26 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for panhandle
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Noun
His persona was a paragon of the hale straight American white guy spotted in droves from Puget Sound to Indianapolis and on down into the panhandle of Florida, with a wife, two grown kids, and two mortgages, probably a Republican but open to persuasion.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025
In the panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma, the NWS said wind chills could reach as low as 30 below.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025
Verb
The ordinance also restricts panhandling in certain areas, such at the 18th & Vine district, the Country Club Plaza, Westport, Zona Rosa, the central business district and from motorists.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 5 Feb. 2025
When he was arrested for panhandling in Kentucky on Jan. 10, 2020, the home address Caudill gave officers was a residential Denver facility that offers care to mentally ill teens and young adults who don’t respond to traditional treatment methods.
—Shelly Bradbury, The Denver Post, 26 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for panhandle
Cite this Entry
“Panhandle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/panhandle. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
panhandle
1 of 2 noun
pan·han·dle
ˈpan-ˌhan-dᵊl
: a narrow strip of territory that extends from a larger territory (as a state)
the Texas Panhandle
panhandle
2 of 2 verb
panhandled; panhandling
-ˌhan-(d)liŋ,
-dᵊl-iŋ
: to beg for money on the street
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