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

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

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

His lowest marks concerned his handling of deportations, where his net approval rating stood at -20, down from -16 in early June. —Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025

The survey also found that Trump is underwater on his handling of deportations and immigration. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 27 June 2025

The Trump administration is shattering norms around the handling of Americans’ personal — and sometimes private — information, dismantling barriers concerning data in the name of government efficiency and rooting out fraud. —Julia Shapero, The Hill, 25 June 2025

Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell defended his department’s handling of recent protests, saying officers acted appropriately to quell unrest — pushing back against criticism about aggressive crowd control tactics used during demonstrations against President Trump’s immigration crackdown. —Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025

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