noun
Common
handling
HAND-lihng
Handling (noun) means the way something is managed, dealt with, or physically handled. Example: “Critics praised the government's handling of the crisis.”
noun
1
The way something is managed, dealt with, or physically handled.
"Critics praised the government's handling of the crisis."
"The package requires careful handling."
"The teacher's calm handling of the argument stopped it from getting any worse."
2
How a vehicle responds and steers.
"The new suspension improved the car's handling on tight corners."
"Reviewers liked the van's handling, which felt steady even on wet, winding roads."
"Worn tyres can make a car's handling feel loose and unpredictable."
3
In football, an illegal touch of the ball with the hand or arm.
"The referee awarded a penalty for handling in the box."
"The defender was sent off for deliberate handling on the goal line."
"Replays showed that the handling was accidental, so the goal stood."
How to use handling
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe way something (a situation, object, or vehicle) is managed or dealt with.
Common pairings
careful handling
handling of the case
good handling
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Word forms
- Plural
- handlings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Critics praised the government's _____ of the crisis.
Etymology
From "handle" plus "-ing," from Old English handlung.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “handling” mean?
The word “handling” means the way something is managed, dealt with, or physically handled. In plain terms, the way something (a situation, object, or vehicle) is managed or dealt with.
How do you pronounce “handling”?
“Handling” is pronounced HAND-lihng (/ˈhændl̩ɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “handling” in a sentence?
Here is “handling” used in a sentence: “Critics praised the government's handling of the crisis.”
What part of speech is “handling”?
“Handling” is a noun.
Where does the word “handling” come from?
The word “handling” comes from Old English. From "handle" plus "-ing," from Old English handlung.
Is “handling” a common word?
“Handling” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “handling” have?
“Handling” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the way something is managed, dealt with, or physically handled.
What is the difference between handling and handing?
Handling means managing, dealing with, or physically touching something, as in handling a crisis or handling fragile goods. Handing means passing something to someone by hand, as in handing over the keys, so the two are easy to mistype but have different meanings.
How is handling used in phrases like handling of the situation?
In this pattern, handling means the way something is managed or dealt with, and it is usually followed by of, as in the committee's handling of the complaint. It often appears with judging words such as praised, criticised, or questioned.
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