handbag

noun

hand·​bag ˈhan(d)-ˌbag How to pronounce handbag (audio)
1
2
: a bag held in the hand or hung from a shoulder strap and used for carrying small personal articles and money

Examples of handbag in a Sentence

flies only with a handbag so he doesn't have to check his luggage her handbag is just big enough to hold her favorite photos and wallet
Recent Examples on the Web Margaux 10 bag Ferragamo Firenze flap tote bag Brochu Walker Everyday tote Prada large leather tote bag Prada buckle leather handbag Balenciaga Rodeo leather tote Precious Cargo Going somewhere? Madeline Fass, Vogue, 15 Mar. 2024 The costume design, by Big Little Lies’ Alix Friedberg, and production direction, by Westworld’s Jon Carlos, make Palm Royale feel like Game of Thrones for the kind of people who appreciate Slim Aarons photography and vintage handbags. Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2024 The hunt for wild crocodile eggs that feeds the designer handbag craze The fuel emissions standards aren’t the only environmental policy facing a backlash. Michael E. Miller, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024 The python skins are used by French luxury brand Gucci to craft handbags, shoes and belts, according to the animal rights group. Kate Gibson, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2024 Stewart wore her shaggy hair tossed to the side and accessorized with dark rimless sunglasses, high patent leather heels, and a boxy handbag. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 12 Mar. 2024 Believing the caller, the employee gathered the cash from the casino cage, put it into a large handbag and drove it from the Hartford casino nearly 85 miles to Gary, Indiana, according to the complaint. Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 8 Mar. 2024 The outfit was rounded out with white fur gloves and a gray handbag. Nicole Fell, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2024 In 1908, Delvaux invented the first modern handbag with its filing of the first-ever leather handbag patent. Ian Malone, Vogue, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'handbag.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of handbag was in 1859

Dictionary Entries Near handbag

Cite this Entry

“Handbag.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handbag. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

handbag

noun
hand·​bag ˈhan(d)-ˌbag How to pronounce handbag (audio)
1
2
: a woman's bag for carrying small personal articles and money

More from Merriam-Webster on handbag

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