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

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

From Salon • Apr. 15, 2026

The appeals court found “the trial court’s handling of the note deprived defendant of his constitutional right to counsel at a critical stage of his trial.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

SpaceX dominates space launch, handling more than half of all orbital launches worldwide, which is why its been able to build its satellite constellation faster than any other players.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 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

And you do seem to have a knack for handling them, Miss Lumley.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

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