handler
noun
a person or thing that handles.
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:
There is also the work of the clinical navigators - clinicians reviewing notes taken by the call handler to weed out those in need of a rapid response.
From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026
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
A bird of prey which stops pigeons from interrupting play at Wimbledon treats the All England Club as "his playground", according to his handler.
From BBC ● Jul. 6, 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
“Mattel has been saying for a while that entertainment at scale can be very profitable,” Roth analyst Eric Handler said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026
He picked up a rosette for "Supreme Champion, Oldest Handler" for his efforts.
From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026
In response, Gillis told the Hollywood Reporter in a statement that Handler was capitalizing on the moment.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 27, 2026
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
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
In a statement after his sentencing, the agency said he had been recruited by Russia's FSB in Vienna in 2018, but several years had passed before his handlers resumed contact with him in December 2024.
From BBC ● Jun. 26, 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
Excavations at the active pits and conservation of fossils will continue during the closure, albeit in different conditions than many fossil handlers are used to.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 6, 2026
The girls walked in the direction of the smoke and possible survivors, chaperones or handlers who might take charge and make everything better.
From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray
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.
