handling

American  

[hand-ling] / ˈhænd lɪŋ /

noun

1. a touching, grasping, or using with the hands.

2. the manner of treating or dealing with something; management; treatment.

3. the manual or mechanical method or process by which something is moved, carried, transported, etc.

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adjective

1. of or relating to the process of moving, transporting, delivering, working with, etc..

   The factory added a 10 percent handling charge for delivery.

handling British  

/ ˈhændlɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or an instance of picking up, turning over, or touching something

2. treatment, as of a theme in literature

3. 1. the process by which a commodity is packaged, transported, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      handling charges

4. law the act of receiving property that one knows or believes to be stolen

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Etymology

Origin of handling

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English handlung (noun); equivalent to handle + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

He had been told that instead of having their catchers call pitches, just as they have for the past 150 years, the Marlins’ coaches would be handling that responsibility from the bench.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

ICE agents, who often work in urban settings, had little prior experience handling hostile crowds.

From Salon • Apr. 15, 2026

“I am not proud of handling myself badly in a conflict with our previous board that led to a huge mess for the company,” he wrote.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Epstein campaigners across the political spectrum have voiced their hopes that the change at the top of the DOJ could be a turning point in the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein saga.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

It never occurred to me then that I might be handling evidence!

From "Red Kayak" by Priscilla Cummings

Related Words

• administration
• approach
• care
• conduct
• manipulation
• supervision
• treatment