A handhold is a manner the dancers hold each other's hand

Hand

A hand is a prehensile, multi-fingered extremity located at the end of an arm or forelimb of primates such as humans, chimpanzees, monkeys, and lemurs...

s during the dance

Dance

Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....

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A hold is the way one partner holds another one with hands.
Hold and handhold are important components of connection

Connection (dance)

Connection is essential to all partner dancing and is the primary means to communicate synchronized dance movement between the lead and follow. It is especially important in Argentine Tango, Lindy Hop, Balboa, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Salsa, Contra dance, Modern Jive and other styles of...

 in dance.

Couple dances

• Waist-hand hold
• Shoulder-waist hold
• Shoulder blade hold
• Ballroom hold
• Banjo hold
• Barn dance hold
• Butterfly hold: in face-to-face dance position
  Dance position
  Dance position is a position of a dancer or a mutual position of a dance couple assumed during a dance. Describing and mastering proper dance positions is an important part of dance technique....
  
  , the arms are extended sideways palm to palm, elbows slightly bent
• Shoulder hold (varsouvienne hold)
• Cross-back hold
• Promenade hold
• Short-arm hold
• Skaters hold
  • Back skaters hold: partners side-by-side, same hands joined, man right arm around lady's waist with right hands on the lady's right hip, left hands joined in front, man's hand palm up
  • Front skaters hold
• V hold
• Hammerlock hold
• Sweetheart hold
• Cuddle hold

Line/circle dances

When danced in line or circle formation

Circle dance

"Circle dance" is the most common name for a style of traditional dance usually done in a circle without partners to musical accompaniment.-Description:...

, the handholds usually connect a dancer with the two immediate neighbors, sometimes with the two second next neighbors. Exceptions are free hands of the first and last persons in the line formation.

A number of these holds may be used in couple dances (a couple is a line of just two).

• Shoulder hold
• Chain hold
• Basket hold
  • Front basket hold: Arms are extended sideways in front of the neighbors to connect with the arms of the second next person
  • Back basket hold: Arms are extended sideways behind the neighbors to connect with the arms of the second next person
• Belt hold: Each dancer holds the belts of the neighbors
• Escort hold: one arm slightly rounded with arm at waist level, the neighbor from this side place the opposite hand on the forearm through the space formed by founded arm