foothold

American  

[foot-hohld] / ˈfʊtˌhoʊld /

noun

• footholds
  plural

1. a place or support for the feet; a place where a person may stand or walk securely.

2. 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.

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foothold British  

/ ˈfʊtˌhəʊld /

noun

1. a ledge, hollow, or other place affording a secure grip for the foot, as during climbing

2. a secure position from which further progress may be made

   a foothold for a successful career

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• footholds
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of foothold

First recorded in 1615–25; foot + hold ¹

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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."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

foothold footholds

The use of money decorations has become more common in Ghana in recent years, with the practice also gaining a foothold in other African countries.

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

Now, his latest real estate purchase gives the former governor a substantial new foothold in the Hamptons—complete with enough acreage and amenities to turn his summers into a decidedly resortlike affair.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 6, 2026

When China opened its first overseas air force base this week, a joint facility in isolated Laos, it was sending a signal -- its foreign military foothold is set to grow, analysts said.

From Barron's ● Oct. 2, 2026

The Chargers, meanwhile, are looking to create more of an offensive foothold in the league and take advantage of having an elite quarterback in Justin Herbert.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2026

I scramble for a foothold, but the undercurrent’s too strong.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

Modern France still has overseas territories across the globe, from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean and Pacific, legacies of the colonial era that are now vital strategic footholds for Paris.

From Barron's ● Dec. 18, 2025

In du Maurier’s world, the usual footholds by which sanity is maintained are always in danger of being kicked away by circumstance.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 24, 2025

He also said al-Qaeda and Islamic State group were "once again becoming more ambitious" and "taking advantage of instability overseas to gain firmer footholds".

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2025

In 1771, Spanish priests tasked with establishing church footholds in the region decided to build what would become the San Gabriel Mission near the village.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2025

The twins had begged her to help them climb it, so she’d pointed out the footholds and handholds all the way up.

From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez

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Related Words

• footing
• niche
• perch
• toehold

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