handshake.

1. A greeting or agreement marked by clasping and moving hands.

2. An exchange of signals used to establish, negotiate, or confirm a communication connection.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• a firm handshake
• exchange handshakes
• seal a deal with a handshake

On the page

His handshake was brief enough to make the welcome feel provisional.

They exchanged handshakes after the signing, though neither looked relieved.

Usage notes

Primary category: sci-fi. Forms: Singular handshake; plural handshakes. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings.