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

The proportion of Americans who say Trump should end his presidential campaign as a result of this verdict is 49%, which is similar to findings from an April 2023 ABC News/Ipsos poll conducted shortly after the Manhattan grand jury handed down the indictment against him in this case. —Isabella Murray, ABC News, 2 June 2024

More than a year later, after charges dropped, a six-week trial ensued, and a unanimous guilty verdict was handed down, little has changed. —Linda Marx, Peoplemag, 31 May 2024

When will Trump be sentenced? Shortly after the verdict was handed down, Merchan, the judge, set Trump's sentencing date for July 11, just days before the start of the Republican National Convention. —Stefan Becket, CBS News, 31 May 2024

Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago Visiting the Lincoln Park Zoo is hands down one of the best free things to do in Chicago. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 29 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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)