Definition of "handholding" []

• Strong personal support and reassurance, especially to alleviate tension and anxiety. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The buildings are spinning around me as I twirl along with my husband who seems to feel that handholding is no longer original enough."
• "I have to disagree Michael about the "handholding" of Editors at conferences."
• "Kennedy, who has been holding regular "handholding" sessions with the senators to calm their fears, plans to introduce the legislation soon after the Easter recess."