foothold
Americannoun
-
a place or support for the feet; a place where a person may stand or walk securely.
-
a secure position, especially a firm basis for further progress or development.
They gained a foothold in the New York market before beginning their national campaign.
noun
-
a ledge, hollow, or other place affording a secure grip for the foot, as during climbing
-
a secure position from which further progress may be made
a foothold for a successful career
Etymology
Origin of foothold
Explanation
A foothold is a flat or steady area on which you can put your foot when you're climbing. Part of the trick to rock climbing is learning to find good footholds. A literal foothold is wide enough for you to fit your foot and sturdy enough to hold your weight, and a figurative foothold gives you this same sense of security, usually setting you up to make progress. For example, your first published magazine piece can give you a foothold in the field of freelance writing. This sense of foothold dates from the mid-17th century, meaning "stable ground from which to act."
Vocabulary lists containing foothold
This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for November 8–November 14, 2025
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Girls I've Been
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The group had been living in the al-Roj camp in northern Syria since 2019, when IS was driven from its final foothold in Syria.
From BBC • May 5, 2026
The investment in SpaceX also gives the tech giant a foothold in satellite internet, Bader said.
From MarketWatch • May 2, 2026
That is part of the reason Darpa wanted to invest in Gazelle: The Pentagon was trying to ensure a foothold in a market that was increasingly dominated by commercial interests.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026
But some experts now fear the U.S. is in danger of allowing the virus to regain a foothold.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026
Three feet below the sill, a section of stone has crumbled, leaving a small foothold.
From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
