Dictionary

1backhand

noun back·hand \ˈbak-ˌhand\

: a way of hitting a ball in tennis and similar games in which the back of the hand holding the racket is turned in the direction of the ball

: a catch in baseball and similar games that is made on the side of the body that is opposite the hand being used

Full Definition of BACKHAND

1
a :  a stroke (as in tennis) made with the back of the hand turned in the direction of movement; also :  the side on which such strokes are made
b :  a catch (as in baseball) made to the side of the body opposite the hand being used
2
:  handwriting whose strokes slant downward from left to right
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Illustration of BACKHAND

First Known Use of BACKHAND

1657

2backhand

adjective

Definition of BACKHAND

:  made with a backhand <a backhand tennis stroke>

First Known Use of BACKHAND

1695

3backhand

adverb \-ˈhan-dəd\

Definition of BACKHAND

:  with a backhand

Variants of BACKHAND

backhand or back·hand·ed \-ˈhan-dəd\

First Known Use of BACKHAND

1889

4backhand

verb

Definition of BACKHAND

transitive verb
:  to do, hit, or catch backhand

First Known Use of BACKHAND

circa 1935
BACKHAND[1] Defined for Kids

1backhand

noun back·hand \ˈbak-ˌhand\

Definition of BACKHAND for Kids

1
:  a stroke in sports played with a racket that is made with the back of the hand turned in the direction in which the hand is moving
2
:  a catch (as in baseball) made with the arm across the body and the palm turned away from the body

2backhand

adverb or adjective

Definition of BACKHAND for Kids

:  with a backhand <caught backhand>

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