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Meaning & use

handover

noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/ˈhændəʊvə/
US/ˈhændoʊvər/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable or uncountable

    The moment or process in which authority, duties, or ownership passes from one person or group to another.

    Grammar: Often followed by of or to: the handover of power; a handover to the new team.

    Patterns

    • the handover of something
    • a handover to someone
    • a handover from someone

    The handover of the keys took place at noon.

    A smooth handover between shifts keeps patients safe.

    The handover to the new government was peaceful.

  2. nouncountable

    A short briefing given by someone leaving a task or shift so the next person knows what has happened and what remains to do.

    Grammar: Often used in workplaces: give a handover, write a handover note.

    Patterns

    • give a handover
    • a handover note

    The night nurse gave a quick handover at seven.

    Please write a handover before you go on leave.

    We missed an important detail because the handover was rushed.

Word forms

pluralhandovers

Common combinations

smooth handover
A smooth handover helped the new manager settle in.
handover period
There is a two-week handover period before she leaves.
handover ceremony
The handover ceremony drew a large crowd.
handover of power
The handover of power happened without any disorder.
shift handover
Shift handover takes place at the nurses' station.

Synonyms and how they differ

transfer
Transfer is wider and can mean moving anything between places, while handover stresses passing responsibility to a person.
transition
Transition covers the whole period of change, whereas handover is usually one moment or one briefing.
delivery
Delivery suggests bringing an item to someone, while handover implies giving up control over it.

Opposites

takeover

Word family

hand over verb
to give something to someone else, written as two words
hand noun
the part of the body at the end of the arm
handing over noun
the act of giving something to another person

Commonly confused: handover or hand over?

handover vs hand over

Hand over is the verb phrase written as two words, while handover is the noun: they hand over the keys at the handover.

Practice

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