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

On campus this week, a wide range of students remained skeptical of Nuñez’s handling of the incident. —Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026

Because the surcharge is percentage-based, consumers could see higher handling fees for bulky or heavy goods specifically, said Savannah Wei Shi, associate professor of marketing at Santa Clara University. —Melina Khan, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026

The terminal has nine berths and over 12,000 feet of wharf, and has an annual handling capacity of 9 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs). —Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2026

Four Granbury and Hood County residents are taking legal action over the city’s handling of a data center proposal that has ripped at the fabric of public trust in the idyllic North Texas town along the Brazos River. —Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 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