hand·cuff
ˈhan(d)-ˌkəf 
: 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
handcuffed; handcuffing; handcuffs
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
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2025
Members of the flight crew and passengers subdued Reid by wrapping him up in belts, headphone cords, seatbelts and plastic handcuffs.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 16 July 2025
Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 22 July 2025
He was handcuffed at some point, police said, as the suspects tried to extract money from him.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
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Noun
Members of the flight crew and passengers were able to subdue Reid — wrapping him up in belts, headphone cords, seatbelts and plastic handcuffs.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2025
Members of the flight crew and passengers subdued Reid by wrapping him up in belts, headphone cords, seatbelts and plastic handcuffs.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 16 July 2025
Verb
That person was later seen also being handcuffed and led to a police cruiser.
—Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 22 July 2025
He was handcuffed at some point, police said, as the suspects tried to extract money from him.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Cite this Entry
“Handcuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handcuff. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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