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

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

See Examples For:

foothold footholds

Beijing also has a major foothold in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, in which Xi and Sisi will discuss expanding investments as the US-Iran war continues to threaten global maritime trade.

From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026

England's total seems at least workable, yet Pakistan have the chance to gain a foothold if they bat well.

From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026

Carefully deferential to the star, Parton carved out a foothold for herself.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2026

Russia has long seen Kaliningrad’s geographic location and tiny population as a vulnerability as well as a useful foothold in Europe.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026

I hurry silently to the back of our house, get a good foothold on a loose brick, and fling myself upward.

From "Legend" by Marie Lu

Britain's key military footholds were established along strategic waterways.

From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026

During his first term, Russia and China both established footholds in the Persian Gulf region.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 18, 2026

Sweden has now joined Nato, meaning that eight Nato countries now border the Baltic Sea where Russia maintains two strategic footholds, in St Petersburg and Kaliningrad.

From BBC ● Dec. 31, 2024

Following the death of 20-year-old Grace Rohloff, climbers say adding more footholds could make the trek less harrowing.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2024

And as they climbed, they found the ground firmer, the handholds more secure, the footholds less liable to roll and twist their ankles.

From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman

Related Words

• footing
• niche
• perch
• toehold