panhandle

1 of 3

noun (1)

pan·​han·​dle ˈpan-ˌhan-dᵊl How to pronounce panhandle (audio)
: a narrow projection of a larger territory (such as a state)
the Oklahoma Panhandle

panhandle

2 of 3

verb

panhandled; panhandling ˈpan-ˌhan(d)-liŋ How to pronounce panhandle (audio)
-ˌhan-dᵊl-iŋ

intransitive verb

: to stop people on the street and ask for food or money : beg

transitive verb

1
: to accost on the street and beg from
2
: to get by panhandling
panhandler
ˈpan-ˌhan(d)-lər How to pronounce panhandle (audio)
-ˌhan-dᵊl-ər
noun

panhandler

3 of 3

noun (2)

pan·​han·​dler -d(ᵊ)lə(r) How to pronounce panhandler (audio)
: one that panhandles : an able-bodied street beggar

Examples of panhandle in a Sentence

Noun (1) 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
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Noun
On Thursday, the hurricane center cranked up the predictions for rainfall for the panhandle. — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026 States of emergency have been issued in parts of Alabama and Florida, and mandatory evacuation orders have been issued in two counties in the Florida panhandle. — Kate S. Petersen, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
Foster, 64, was panhandling and walking in the roadway on Caton Ave. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 28 May 2026 But more photos of him panhandling went viral in 2020. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for panhandle

Word History

Etymology

Verb

back-formation from panhandler, probably from panhandle, noun; from the extended forearm

Noun (2)

probably from panhandle entry 1 + -er; from the extended forearm

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1846, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1890, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of panhandle was in 1846

Rhymes for panhandle

See All Rhymes for panhandle

Browse Nearby Words

Pangwe
panhandle
panhandler
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Panhandle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/panhandle. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

panhandle

1 of 2 noun
pan·​han·​dle ˈpan-ˌhan-dᵊl How to pronounce panhandle (audio)
: 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
panhandler
-(d)lər How to pronounce panhandle (audio)
-dᵊl-ər
noun
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