foothold

American  

[foot-hohld] / ˈfʊtˌhoʊld /

noun

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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Etymology

Origin of foothold

First recorded in 1615–25; foot + hold ¹

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

In return, Midea gets a bigger foothold in the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

Hig’s days are spent flying perimeter patrols, scanning for signs of life — or trouble — until he encounters Margaret Qualley’s Cima, a medic guarding her own small foothold in the ruined world.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

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

Then I laced my fingers together to give Ruthanne a foothold.

From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool

Related Words

• footing
• niche
• perch
• toehold