1
: a part that is designed especially to be grasped by the hand
2
: something that resembles a handle
3
a
: title sense 4
a royal handle
4
: hand sense 9c
the smooth handle of silk
5
: the total amount of money bet on a race, game, or event
6
: a means of understanding or controlling
can't quite get a handle on things
handled; handling
ˈhan(d)-liŋ 
ˈhan-dᵊl-iŋ
1
a
: to try or examine (as by touching, feeling, or moving) with the hand
handle silk to judge its weight
b
: to manage with the hands
handle a horse
2
a
: to deal with in writing or speaking or in the plastic arts
He handles the topic briefly in his book.
b
: to have overall responsibility for supervising or directing : manage
a lawyer handles all my affairs
c
: to train and act as the assistant for (a boxer)
handles featherweight boxers
d
: to put up with : stand
can't handle the heat
3
: to act on or perform a required function with regard to
handle the day's mail
4
: to engage in the buying, selling, or distributing of (a commodity)
: to act, behave, or respond in a certain way when handled or directed
a car that handles well
Synonyms
Examples of handle in a Sentence
Noun
He held the shovel by the handle.
The handles on the bag were torn.
Verb
Handle the fruit carefully or it will bruise.
The baked potatoes were too hot to handle with our bare hands.
He knows how to handle a motorcycle.
He handles his motorcycle well.
She learned how to handle a weapon.
She handles all the bookkeeping.
The system is handled by the main computer.
She's proven that she can handle anything.
The airport handles both passenger and cargo flights.
She couldn't handle being away from her children for more than a couple of days.
Recent Examples on the Web
Claire Peltier, ABC News, 19 Apr. 2024
Outside, the Peoria police and fire departments began coordinating to get a handle on the situation.
—Shawn Raymundo, The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2024
These pot holders are highly flexible, enabling users the dexterity necessary to easily grab a pan or pot handle while still having enough coverage and hand protection.
—Jack Byram, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Apr. 2024
Curry may have felt rushed by the ticking game clock, and ended up losing his handle.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2024
There are five sizes of the Quencher available, each featuring cupholder-compatible bases, a screw-on lid, a reusable straw, and a comfort grip handle.
—Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
Our tester liked the grippy handle and comfortable hold while in use.
—Lindsay Modglin, Verywell Health, 8 Apr. 2024
Ahead of the Iowa-UConn matchup, 69% of the handle (total money) and 69% of the bets (total transactions) are on Iowa to win; 77% of the handle (total money) and 69% of the bets (total transactions) are on Iowa to cover the spread (-3.5).
—Will Ujek, NBC News, 6 Apr. 2024
The steamer measures about 11 inches high by 6 inches wide, and has a large handle, according to the notice.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2024
How the Intel and Microsoft boards handled their successions, nine months apart, largely explains why the two companies’ storylines have diverged so dramatically.
—Bygeoff Colvin, Fortune, 20 Apr. 2024
The switching equipment handles millions of packets of data at a time and redirects them at lightning speed.
—Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2024
When Arizona put two men on base in the first, Ahmed handled a bullet and flipped it to second to get Webb out of trouble.
—Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2024
As his title confirms, Davies will be handling all things A&R for the label — scouting, signings, strategy, etc — and will report into co-presidents Glyn Aikins and Stacey Tang.
—Marc Schneider, Billboard, 19 Apr. 2024
Some people take a different approach: train kids to handle guns responsibly.
—Martin Kaste, NPR, 18 Apr. 2024
The pacing slackens somewhat around the two-thirds point, then rallies for separate climaxes sentimental (when Greg finally visits his father’s deathbed) and rousing (as the Grand Canyon is reached), both handled with moving restraint rather than heavy-handed melodrama or inspirational uplift.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 18 Apr. 2024
Until recently, campaign finance reports were handled by the Recorder's Office.
—Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 18 Apr. 2024
Noun
Users can carry it by its top handle or shoulder strap.
—Claire Peltier, ABC News, 19 Apr. 2024
Outside, the Peoria police and fire departments began coordinating to get a handle on the situation.
—Shawn Raymundo, The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2024
These pot holders are highly flexible, enabling users the dexterity necessary to easily grab a pan or pot handle while still having enough coverage and hand protection.
—Jack Byram, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Apr. 2024
Curry may have felt rushed by the ticking game clock, and ended up losing his handle.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2024
There are five sizes of the Quencher available, each featuring cupholder-compatible bases, a screw-on lid, a reusable straw, and a comfort grip handle.
—Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
Our tester liked the grippy handle and comfortable hold while in use.
—Lindsay Modglin, Verywell Health, 8 Apr. 2024
Ahead of the Iowa-UConn matchup, 69% of the handle (total money) and 69% of the bets (total transactions) are on Iowa to win; 77% of the handle (total money) and 69% of the bets (total transactions) are on Iowa to cover the spread (-3.5).
—Will Ujek, NBC News, 6 Apr. 2024
The steamer measures about 11 inches high by 6 inches wide, and has a large handle, according to the notice.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
Verb
Rustic Yard Events handled the rentals, and linens were supplied by Party Mosiac.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2024
How the Intel and Microsoft boards handled their successions, nine months apart, largely explains why the two companies’ storylines have diverged so dramatically.
—Bygeoff Colvin, Fortune, 20 Apr. 2024
The switching equipment handles millions of packets of data at a time and redirects them at lightning speed.
—Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2024
When Arizona put two men on base in the first, Ahmed handled a bullet and flipped it to second to get Webb out of trouble.
—Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2024
As his title confirms, Davies will be handling all things A&R for the label — scouting, signings, strategy, etc — and will report into co-presidents Glyn Aikins and Stacey Tang.
—Marc Schneider, Billboard, 19 Apr. 2024
Some people take a different approach: train kids to handle guns responsibly.
—Martin Kaste, NPR, 18 Apr. 2024
The pacing slackens somewhat around the two-thirds point, then rallies for separate climaxes sentimental (when Greg finally visits his father’s deathbed) and rousing (as the Grand Canyon is reached), both handled with moving restraint rather than heavy-handed melodrama or inspirational uplift.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 18 Apr. 2024
Until recently, campaign finance reports were handled by the Recorder's Office.
—Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 18 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'handle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near handle
Cite this Entry
“Handle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handle. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
handle
2 of 2 verb
handled; handling
ˈhan-(d)liŋ
-dᵊl-iŋ
1
a
: to touch, feel, hold, or move with the hand
b
: to manage with the hands
handle a horse
2
a
: to deal with or act on
handle a problem
b
: control entry 1 sense 1b, direct
an accountant handles my financial concerns
c
: to put up with : stand
can't handle the heat
3
: to deal or trade in
a store that handles rugs
4
: to act, behave, or respond in a certain way when managed or directed
a car that handles well
handler
noun
ˈhan-(d)lər
-dᵊl-ər
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