Handheld
/ˈhændˌheld/
Definitions
Designed to be held and operated in the hand.
/ˈhændˌheld/
Designed to be held and used in the hand
I prefer using a handheld vacuum cleaner for quick cleanups.
💡 Simply: Imagine a little toy you can carry around in your hand. That's like 'handheld'! For example, a phone, a small video game, or a tiny radio are all handheld devices.
👶 For kids: Something you can hold in your hand and use, like a toy or a little phone.
More Examples
The handheld GPS device made it easier to navigate during the hike.
She used a handheld microphone to address the crowd.
How It's Used
"The salesperson demonstrated the features of the new handheld scanner."
"The photographer preferred handheld shots to avoid using a tripod."
From 'hand' + 'held'. The compound form indicates something designed to be held in the hand.
The term gained prominence with the rise of portable electronics in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Memory tip
Think of holding a phone in your hand - that's handheld!