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

Brown said the handlers ran across the field trying to track her down before she was eventually corralled and safely led back in her trailer. — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

Replace a more than 50-year-old air handler with a health care-grade HVAC system to improve reliability, air quality, infection prevention, and continuity of care. — Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2026

In 2025, Flores’ handlers offered her between 1 and 3 million rubles to aid in the murder of Verzilov. — News Desk, Artforum, 26 Aug. 2026

One of the most prominent farms was at Hamat Gader, a tourist site near the Jordanian border, where visitors watched handlers wrestle crocodiles, force open their jaws and flip them onto their backs. — Irus Braverman, The Conversation, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing handler

• ball handler