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• handler
  handler

  noun

  a person or thing that handles.
• Handler
  Handler

  noun

  Daniel . born 1970, US writer for older children, best known for the macabre humour of his A Series of Unfortunate Events , a sequence of books written in the persona of Lemony Snicket

handler

American  

[hand-ler] / ˈhænd lər /

noun

handlers plural

1. a person or thing that handles.

2. Boxing. a person who assists in the training of a fighter or is the fighter's second during a fight.

3. a person who exhibits a dog in a bench show or field trial.

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handler ¹ British  

/ ˈhændlə /

noun

1. a person, esp a police officer, in charge of a specially trained dog

2. a person who handles some specified thing

   a baggage handler

3. a person who holds or incites a dog, gamecock, etc, esp in a race or contest

4. the trainer or second of a boxer

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Handler ² British  

/ ˈhændlə /

noun

1. Daniel . born 1970, US writer for older children, best known for the macabre humour of his A Series of Unfortunate Events , a sequence of books written in the persona of Lemony Snicket

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• handlers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of handler

1350–1400; Middle English. See handle, -er ¹

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

Katherine Waterston, who plays Naomi, a CIA operations officer and Martian's former handler, says The Agency reflects broader questions about trust and truth in our daily life.

From BBC • Jun. 20, 2026

The handler EL, who directed Lavrynovych, offered Russian citizenship in return for other attacks and glorified President Vladimir Putin, messages the BBC has uncovered show.

From BBC • Jun. 15, 2026

"By only recruiting a rescue dog, it's a win-win -- giving a dog the chance of a new life while helping our iconic koalas," Innovation for Conservation director and handler Russell Miller said.

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

Several videos have compounded the confusion, including one made public Thursday that appeared to show a security dog identifying the suspect, only to have the dog’s handler ignore the warning.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026

And Chambers admitted that he himself had been Hiss's "handler" for the NKVD.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau

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