pan·han·dle
ˈpan-ˌhan-dᵊl 
: a narrow projection of a larger territory (such as a state)
the Oklahoma Panhandle
panhandled; panhandling
ˈpan-ˌhan(d)-liŋ
-ˌhan-dᵊl-iŋ
: to stop people on the street and ask for food or money : beg
Examples of panhandle in a Sentence
Noun
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
Philip Bump, Washington Post, 21 June 2024
Butler, 27, and Kelley, 39, were traveling from Hugoton, Kansas, through the panhandle to pick up Butler’s two children for a birthday party.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 21 May 2024
Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 17 June 2024
The Texas County Sheriff’s Office asked for state help, and the OSBI found their vehicle abandoned on a rural highway in the Oklahoma panhandle about 11 miles south of Elkhart, Kansas, which abuts the state line about 260 miles northwest of Oklahoma City.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for panhandle 
Noun
One day, perhaps, the residents of Banner County, Neb. — a rural county in that state’s panhandle — might wake up and suddenly feel generous.
—Philip Bump, Washington Post, 21 June 2024
Butler, 27, and Kelley, 39, were traveling from Hugoton, Kansas, through the panhandle to pick up Butler’s two children for a birthday party.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 21 May 2024
Verb
The calls were for various reasons, including theft, panhandling, and loitering.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 17 June 2024
The Texas County Sheriff’s Office asked for state help, and the OSBI found their vehicle abandoned on a rural highway in the Oklahoma panhandle about 11 miles south of Elkhart, Kansas, which abuts the state line about 260 miles northwest of Oklahoma City.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for panhandle
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'panhandle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near panhandle
Cite this Entry
“Panhandle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/panhandle. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
panhandle
1 of 2 noun
pan·han·dle
ˈpan-ˌhan-dᵊl
: 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
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