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-dᵊl-iŋ 
ˈhan(d)-liŋ
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
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
Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 30 Nov. 2025
The Little Dipper is hanging by its handle above the Big Dipper, with Polaris, the North Star, at the end of its handle.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 30 Nov. 2025
Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 2 Dec. 2025
Powerful fossil fuel and chemical companies—the ones creating the pollution in the first place—knew as early as the 1970s that plastic recycling would never be able to handle the world’s plastic waste.
—Judith Enck, Time, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handle
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Uncertain of where her late husband had deposited those funds, Cami tries to get a handle on M-Tex’s financial situation in episode 3, meeting with the company’s lawyers, Nate (Colm Feore) and Rebecca Falcone (Kayla Wallace).
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 30 Nov. 2025
The Little Dipper is hanging by its handle above the Big Dipper, with Polaris, the North Star, at the end of its handle.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 30 Nov. 2025
Verb
Even better, this one doubles as a mop when need be, so errant spills and smears are handled swiftly.
—Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 2 Dec. 2025
Powerful fossil fuel and chemical companies—the ones creating the pollution in the first place—knew as early as the 1970s that plastic recycling would never be able to handle the world’s plastic waste.
—Judith Enck, Time, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handle
Cite this Entry
“Handle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handle. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.
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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