handler

noun

han·​dler ˈhan-dᵊl-ər 

ˈhan(d)-lər

1

: one that handles something

2

a

: a person in immediate physical charge of an animal

especially : a person who exhibits dogs at shows or field trials

b

: a person who trains or acts as second for a boxer

c

: a manager of a political or public figure or campaign

Examples of handler in a Sentence

a dog handler and breeder

a politician and his handlers

Recent Examples on the Web

Mexican restaurant had expired food handler cards Adalberto’s Mexican Food, 7400 Fair Oaks Blvd. —Sacbee.com, 26 Sep. 2025

Israeli authorities have arrested an American-Israeli dual citizen on suspicion of spying for Iran, accusing him of sharing information on public figures and sending videos and pictures of locations across the country to his handlers. —Dana Karni, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025

Theoretically, the over-arching upgrade is his ability to move much better than Porter — as a driver and secondary ball-handler, as a defender, as a catch-and-shoot threat using off-ball screens to get free. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 24 Sep. 2025

Choctaw County Sheriff Terry Park told the Associated Press that Easley and the tiger were inside a large cage together when the animal unexpectedly started to bite and shake the handler. —Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing handler

• ball handler