handler
noun
a person or thing that handles.
Showing results for handler.
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:
Inside the NHS trust's central hub, call handler Claire Havelock describes the previous heatwave as "exhausting", with some staff unable to take breaks because of the relentless demand.
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 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
He did call again, about 10 minutes later, and told the call handler he was "losing breath".
From BBC ● 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
His allies pepper me with advice: Never go looking for your handler.
From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir
Chelsea Handler didn’t mince words when she offered her take on Hinchcliffe, as well as Shane Gillis, who also performed a set during the roast.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 27, 2026
A young conductor, Anna Handler, has been appointed conductor-in-residence.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 26, 2026
The first season of “Pretty Tough” will feature interviews with guests including comedian Chelsea Handler and National Football League CFO Christine Dorfler.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 15, 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
I recognized the Times ’ M. S. Handler and introduced myself; we warmly shook hands and commandeered a little two-chair table.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
That’s the one baggage handlers use for your gate-checked bags.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026
This week extra clinical staff have been deployed to support the call handlers and offer advice to callers.
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 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
To prevent injury to the animals and their handlers, these are commonly removed.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 12, 2026
As with the spy Penkovsky before him, the information Gordievsky passed to his handlers, experts believe, may well have defused a global crisis and averted nuclear war.
From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau
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.
