handler — English Dictionary

Noun

1. One who handles something (especially manually) or someone.

   Usage

   • literally

   Examples

   The handler of a weapon gets a symbolic sensation of deadly power.

   More examples (1)

   Although the airline told them it took such action because they might spread the disease in their capacity as food handlers, neither was offered a transfer to other departments.

2. A controller, trainer, someone who handles a specified thing, animal or person (especially a prizefighter).

   Examples

   The spy's handler told him to approach the subject by posing as a dog handler.

   More examples (1)

   They are also very sympathetic, especially Caesar’s orangutan advisor, Maurice (Karin Konoval), who takes a shine to a human moppet (Amiah Miller) he finds hiding in the back of a shack, and the poignant Bad Ape (a scene-stealing Steve Zahn), a mangy chimp who was beaten so often in his zoo-animal days that he came to believe what his handlers were shouting was supposed to be his name.

3. An advisor or manager providing guidance to a person occupying public office or a prominent position.

   Examples

   The governor received guidance on how to best disseminate key information to the public from her handler.

4. A subroutine that handles a particular situation such as an event or exception.

   Examples

   If the expression is a throw, we unwind the stack seeking a handler expression.

Noun

1. one who trains or exhibits animals

   Synonyms

   animal trainer

   Broader terms

   trainer

2. an agent who handles something or someone

   Broader terms

   agent

   Examples

   the senator's campaign handlers

3. (sports) someone in charge of training an athlete or a team

   Synonyms

   coachmanager

   Broader terms

   trainer