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:
But something got to me, and I felt a pang of empathy for the humanoid being dragged off the stage by its human handler.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026
What happens when your boss is also the HR department, the grievance handler and the person deciding whether you get paid?
From BBC ● Aug. 1, 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
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
Hadn’t her handler, Mrs. Mirabov, told her so?
From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray
Handler appeared to defer to the soloists, while the trio looked to encourage her.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026
“Finally, active managers can participate and join the passive moneymakers,” Jefferies CEO Rich Handler said in a recent letter to clients.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026
“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
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
When I’m making out with Amita, there are legitimately two men — two puppet handlers — on the ground controlling a little possum that I can see.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 31, 2026
When it comes to snake handlers, you must prepare for tales that wriggle free of containment.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
Case papers reveal an 'Operation Mally' was launched by the PSNI, after Rowan wrote a Belfast Telegraph story on the agent's last meeting with his handlers.
From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026
An operation codenamed "rat" found he had used a safehouse in Kyiv to communicate with Russian handlers seeking classified information about Ukraine's military and leadership, the SBU said.
From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026
At first, Becker’s handlers wanted him to serve as both spy and saboteur.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
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.
