handler
noun
a person or thing that handles.
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handler
American
[hand-ler]
/ ˈhænd lər /
noun
handlers
plural
-
a person or thing that handles.
-
Boxing. a person who assists in the training of a fighter or is the fighter's second during a fight.
-
a person who exhibits a dog in a bench show or field trial.
handler
1
British
/ ˈhændlə /
noun
-
a person, esp a police officer, in charge of a specially trained dog
-
a person who handles some specified thing
a baggage handler
-
a person who holds or incites a dog, gamecock, etc, esp in a race or contest
-
the trainer or second of a boxer
Handler
2
British
/ ˈhændlə /
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of handler
Explanation
A handler is someone whose job involves dealing with a particular object, like a baggage handler at the airport. When you're responsible for handling or taking care of something, whether it's food or insurance claims, you're a handler. Other kinds of handlers manage people or animals — a dog handler is a type of trainer, for example. And some political advisors are also known as handlers: "The President had his handlers answer all the reporters' questions."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Prosecutors alleged that Rogers dealt with a Chinese handler who, under the alias Hummin Lee, posed as an academic when he introduced himself at a conference in 2013.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026
In her previous job as mail handler, she worried that her position was going to be eliminated or even outsourced to a robot.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026
When a dog alerts to something, rescuers send a second animal to confirm the finding, said Sylvia Arango, a canine handler since 1998 who manages Sisu.
From Barron's ● Jul. 5, 2026
The identity, connections and motives of the anonymous handler who offered Lavrynovych money for the attacks were deliberately avoided.
From BBC ● Jun. 15, 2026
“Okay, guys,” said the handler when they were outside on the sidewalk.
From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein
A young conductor, Anna Handler, has been appointed conductor-in-residence.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 26, 2026
Anna Handler, a rapidly rising young conductor, will be given the new title of conductor-in-residence for the next three seasons.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 26, 2026
Chelsea Handler could have been the star of her own show.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 13, 2026
Sharapova aims for “women-to-women conversations” on her show, featuring guests like Chelsea Handler and Christine Dorfler.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 15, 2026
Miss Handler must have been raised in the bosom of saints.
From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead
Our call handlers received a considerable amount of information from members of the public and that assistance has been invaluable in helping us locate Jumaa.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
A 55-year-old man died alone after twice calling 999 only to be told by call handlers an ambulance would not be sent for him.
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
They are also running remote desktop applications such as AnyDesk and TeamViewer that enable dark-fleet owners and handlers to control and tamper with a ship’s systems from afar.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 15, 2026
AFP journalists saw rescue dogs and their handlers scour the pile of broken concrete and jagged metal bars.
From Barron's ● Jun. 9, 2026
The California, Oregon, and Washington State kids weren’t pros, but they were definitely the best library-cart handlers in the building.
From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
