hand-holding

noun

hand-hold·​ing ˈhan(d)-ˌhōl-diŋ How to pronounce hand-holding (audio)
: solicitous attention, support, or instruction (as in servicing clients)
hand-holder noun

Examples of hand-holding in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Everyone gathers in the seance room for a little Practical Magic–esque spell-casting hand-holding. Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025 Cross-train staff, delegate decision making early, and build a leadership layer that doesn’t need hand-holding. Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025 In the middle of the episode, the pop superstar — who demonstrated visible PDA with Travis, 35, throughout the podcast's two-hour duration (kissing, hand-holding and all) — discussed her obsession with numerology, particularly her fascination with the number 13. Skyler Caruso, People.com, 14 Aug. 2025 Startups need self-starters who can tackle challenges without excessive hand-holding. Abdo Riani, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hand-holding was in 1967

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Cite this Entry

“Hand-holding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hand-holding. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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