handler
noun
a person or thing that handles.
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Handtuchhalter.
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
It named his FSB handler in Russia as a man called Yuriy Shatalov whose role was to co-ordinate a network of agents.
From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026
The trip was "cover," arranged months in advance in North Korea, for the first-ever contact between the spy and his new KGB handler away from the prying eyes of MI6.
From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau
Lauren Sanchez Bezos, Whitney Cummings, Kimora Lee Simmons, Monica Lewinsky, Chelsea Handler and Justin Theroux were among the famous personalities celebrating the couple and the latest addition to their family in the comments section.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 22, 2026
Christopher Halpin is stepping down as IAC’s chief operating and financial officer, and Kendall Handler will stop serving as chief legal officer, IAC said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 28, 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
Tellingly, Handler had already been scheduled to be the first conductor to follow Dudamel’s final Hollywood Bowl concert as L.A.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 7, 2026
“It’s a reporter named Handler, from the Times—” he resumed.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
Allison said she did not understand how an ambulance was not sent out right away, adding that the call handlers should have asked if someone could go to be with Brian.
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
He was in "constant communication" with his handlers, including sharing documents marked "secret", he added.
From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026
U.S. citizen Thomas Pauken II pleaded guilty to acting as an unregistered Chinese agent, having received at least $100,000 for recruiting informants, providing communication devices, and relaying intelligence to handlers in China.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 9, 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
Two assistant starters, almost certainly called in by War Admiral’s handlers, showed up to lead the horses to the walk-up.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
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.
