A major or big company; a firm with large scale or strong influence in its industry.
彼は大手の自動車メーカーでエンジニアとして働いている。
He works as an engineer at a major car manufacturer.
大手企業は福利厚生が充実していることが多い。
Major companies often have generous employee benefits.
その商品は大手デパートでしか扱っていない。
That product is only carried by major department stores.
The front gate of a castle (the main or frontal castle gate); a historical/military term.
古い城には立派な大手があり、来客はそこから入った。
The old castle had an impressive front gate, and visitors entered through it.
The force attacking the front of a castle; a military term referring to the frontal assault (as opposed to the flanking force).
戦記には、味方が大手と搦手に分かれて攻めたと記されている。
The war chronicles record that our forces split into a frontal attack and a flanking force.