hand-holding

noun

hand-hold·​ing ˈhan(d)-ˌhōl-diŋ 

: solicitous attention, support, or instruction (as in servicing clients)

hand-holder

ˈhan(d)-ˌhōl-dər 

noun

Examples of hand-holding in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Between my parents there was not the slightest gesture of fondness; no hand-holding or sitting close with arms around each other; and hardly ever a kiss. —Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 16 Mar. 2025

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift are in their hand-holding era! —Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 15 Oct. 2023

Children younger than 7 are admitted free with a hand-holding adult. —Sam Boyer, cleveland, 25 Aug. 2023

And Favreau and/or Filoni seemed to recognize that there is a large swath of Star Wars fandom that does not watch the cartoons, and thus needs some hand-holding whenever something like the Darksaber appears. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2023

For long-term partners, this hand-holding style is a symbol of trust. —Jessica Migala, Women's Health, 14 Aug. 2023

Children under 7 are free with a hand-holding adult. —Sam Boyer, cleveland, 21 July 2023

However, the pair reached hand-holding status during a visit to Universal Studios just a month later. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 6 Mar. 2023

Rapp’s decision to create a hand-holding romance between Ponyboy and the more mature Soc girl Cherry (Piper Patterson) feels wrong. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hand-holding

• beholding
• enfolding
• landholding
• refolding
• shareholding
• slaveholding
• stockholding
• unfolding
• upholding
• withholding
• folding
• holding