1. close in space; within reach (Freq. 5) - the town is close at hand • Syn: close at hand • Similar to: close 2. close in time; about to occur (Freq. 4) - retribution is at hand - some people believe the day of judgment is close at hand - in imminent danger - his impending retirement • Syn: close at hand, imminent, impendent, impending • Similar to: close • Derivationally related forms: impendency (for: impendent), imminency (for: imminent), imminence (for: imminent)