handcuff

1 of 2

noun

hand·​cuff ˈhan(d)-ˌkəf How to pronounce handcuff (audio)
: a metal fastening that can be locked around a wrist and is usually connected by a chain or bar with another such fastening
usually used in plural

handcuff

2 of 2

verb

handcuffed; handcuffing; handcuffs

transitive verb

1
: to apply handcuffs to : manacle
2
: to hold in check : make ineffective or powerless
handcuffed by strict regulations

Examples of handcuff in a Sentence

Noun the man reluctantly held out his wrists so the policeman could snap on handcuffs Verb wanted to take the trip, but was handcuffed by her responsibility to watch her ailing father the fear that the new mandatory, standardized tests will handcuff the state's teachers, who will have to specifically tailor their lesson plans for the test
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
As he is led away in handcuffs, the 36-year-old man can be seen lying on his back through the subway car windows. Hurubie Meko, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024 After being put in handcuffs, the suspect was being escorted to a patrol vehicle when the suspect briefly pulled away from the deputy. Kira Caspers, The Arizona Republic, 14 Mar. 2024 The man resisted but he was eventually placed in handcuffs, according to police. Jason Green, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024 Before leaving the witness stand, Kirtley was asked by the prosecutor to describe what the man being led away in handcuffs was wearing. Gina Kaufman, Detroit Free Press, 12 Mar. 2024 While detainees are commonly shown climbing the steps in handcuffs and the waist chains that secure them, the videos often cut to a new shot before leg shackles can make an appearance. Mckenzie Funk, ProPublica, 8 Mar. 2024 After deputies removed him from the car, fixed the handcuffs and sat him on a bench, the man began kicking and flailing against the deputies, officials said. City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2024 In the ensuing minutes, one of the men would end up on the ground and the other in handcuffs. Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 The officers later tackled McClain to the ground, struggling to place him in handcuffs and putting him in a stranglehold. Molly Bohannon, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024
Verb
Outside, the man was handcuffed and told to stay put. Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024 Police transport escaped prisoners Abita Stanislaus, far left, and Trevon Robertson, who are handcuffed together in Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Monday, March 4, 2024. Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2024 Video also was shown of the couple being led into a room where their son was handcuffed to a wall. Gina Kaufman, Detroit Free Press, 8 Mar. 2024 The department said the officer was eventually able to handcuff the person. Stephen Hobbs, Sacramento Bee, 3 Mar. 2024 North was ultimately handcuffed to a gurney and booked for gross misdemeanor battery and released on bail, TMZ reports. Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2024 When the other guard returned, the men handcuffed him, too. Clay Risen, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024 One of the Caribbean prison escapees who allegedly kidnapped an American couple during a violent yacht hijacking is seen in a video handcuffed and bloodied as law enforcement throws him in the back of a truck. Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 28 Feb. 2024 The body was found handcuffed with gunshot wounds at the roadside, Tijuana’s Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection Fernando Sánchez said Thursday to local media. Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'handcuff.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1649, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of handcuff was in 1649

Dictionary Entries Near handcuff

Cite this Entry

“Handcuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handcuff. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

handcuff

noun
hand·​cuff
ˈhan(d)-ˌkəf
: a metal fastening locking around a wrist and usually connected by a chain or bar with another such fastening
usually used in plural
handcuff verb

More from Merriam-Webster on handcuff

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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