foothold
Americannoun
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a place or support for the feet; a place where a person may stand or walk securely.
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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
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a ledge, hollow, or other place affording a secure grip for the foot, as during climbing
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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
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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 promise that once came with a Canadian study permit - a job, a life and a foothold abroad - is no longer a given.
From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026
The developments are clearly constructive, and markets can cheer the news that diplomacy has gained a foothold, Saxo Markets’ Charu Chanana said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026
To date, CoreWeave has secured a foothold in the market by rapidly providing the latest Nvidia architecture at a time when AI labs need as much capacity as they can get.
From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026
The gas crisis gave these smaller cars a foothold in the American market that became permanent.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026
Lawrence drove Edward Teller out to Livermore during the first week of February, hoping that Teller would become the instrument of his hopes to create a permanent foothold for Livermore in the thermonuclear program.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
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.
