handler

noun

han·​dler ˈhan-dᵊl-ər 

ˈhan(d)-lər

1

: one that handles something

2

a

: a person in immediate physical charge of an animal

especially : a person who exhibits dogs at shows or field trials

b

: a person who trains or acts as second for a boxer

c

: a manager of a political or public figure or campaign

Examples of handler in a Sentence

a dog handler and breeder

a politician and his handlers

Recent Examples on the Web

Samuelson is a 12-year veteran of the sheriff's office, serves as a member of the agency's Highway Interdiction Unit, is the handler for K-9 Bosco, and is designated as a US Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force Officer out of the Merrillville District Office. —Todd Feurer, CBS News, 27 May 2026

Dogs and handlers live and work together. —Laura Ungar, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026

Having set up everything beautifully, the duo return to the rebel base where their handler — hi there, Sigourney Weaver — awaits them with a new mission. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2026

Although no one tracks the number of facility dogs in children’s hospitals, Rodriguez points to the continual growth of the annual Facility Dog Summit, where handlers and other participants network and where attendance nearly doubled from 2024 to 2025. —Laura Ungar, Fortune, 23 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing handler

• ball handler