handling

noun

han·​dling ˈhan-dᵊl-iŋ 

ˈhan(d)-liŋ

1

a

: the action of one that handles something

b

: a process by which something is handled in a commercial transaction

especially : the packaging and shipping of an object or material (as to a consumer)

2

: the manner in which something is treated (as in a musical, literary, or art work)

Synonyms of handling

• management
• operation
• control
• administration
• supervision
• stewardship
• oversight
• direction
• government

Examples of handling in a Sentence

These items require careful handling.

There are additional charges for shipping and handling.

The car's handling was smooth.

Recent Examples on the Web

Pressure on Starmer has been building for months amid growing dissatisfaction within his party and concerns over the government's handling of the economy and cost-of-living issues. —Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 21 June 2026

The foundation’s legal push centers on the idea that the recordings are part of the record reviewed during the special counsel probe into Biden’s handling of classified information, and therefore subject to disclosure with appropriate redactions. —Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 20 June 2026

Support for his handling of the war remains lopsidedly partisan. —Linley Sanders, Fortune, 20 June 2026

The platform is designed to automate labor-intensive tasks, including assembly, material handling, inspection, and component insertion. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 19 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing handling

• shipping and handling
• special handling

Rhymes for handling

• candling
• mishandling