footing

American  

[foot-ing] / ˈfʊt ɪŋ /

noun

1. the basis or foundation on which anything is established.

2. the act of one who moves on foot, as in walking or dancing.

3. a secure and established position.

4. a place or support for the feet; surface to stand on; foothold.

5. a firm placing of the feet; stability.

   He regained his footing.

6. Building Trades, Civil Engineering. the part of a foundation bearing directly upon the earth.

7. position or status assigned to a person, group, etc., in estimation or treatment.

8. mutual standing; reciprocal relation.

   to be on a friendly footing with someone.

9. entrance into a new position or relationship.

   to gain a footing in society.

10. a fee demanded from a person upon entrance into a trade, society, etc.

11. the act of adding a foot to something, as to a stocking.

12. that which is added as a foot.

13. the act of adding up a column of figures.

14. the total of such a column.

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footing British  

/ ˈfʊtɪŋ /

noun

1. the basis or foundation on which something is established

   the business was on a secure footing

2. the relationship or status existing between two persons, groups, etc

   the two countries were on a friendly footing

3. a secure grip by or for the feet

4. the lower part of a foundation of a column, wall, building, etc

5. 1. the act of adding a column of figures

   2. the total obtained

6. rare a fee paid upon entrance into a craft, society, etc, or such an entrance itself

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Etymology

Origin of footing

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at foot, -ing ¹

Explanation

Your footing is a supportive place to put your feet when you climb or balance. Once you find your footing at the top of a mountain, you can look around and enjoy the view. Your literal footing is what keeps you sturdy, and if you lose that footing, you stumble. Figuratively, your footing is your status or position, especially when compared to other people. So if every student in your class is on an equal footing, it means your teacher gives them all the same amount of attention and treats them fairly.

Example Sentences

Footing the bill for Lolita's relocation will be Jim Irsay, owner of NFL football team the Indianapolis Colts.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2023

Footing the bill for recovering from the earthquakes won’t be easy, especially considering the track record of federal aid.

From Salon • Jan. 11, 2020

Footing on Allianz Field’s surface was also an issue.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 20, 2019

A version of this article appears in print on April 9, 2014, on page A19 of the with the headline: Pre-K Victory Ad With Mayor’s Family Aims to Help Him Regain His Footing .

From New York Times • Apr. 9, 2014

We forded over to Noddle’s Island across the low Channel, climbing up the Rocks in double File, crouched like Crabs for Footing.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson

Related Words

• foothold