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
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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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Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor
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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.
As Chinese companies’ advances in drug development create local powerhouses and draw more foreign firms to the country, Zhavoronkov says it’s imperative to establish a foothold there.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 26, 2026
Amazon’s foothold in India goes back more than a decade.
From Barron's • Jun. 25, 2026
“DSA has really claimed a foothold for ourselves in L.A. County politics,” Chang said.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 22, 2026
"It's a foothold in world football. They didn't come here to just make up the numbers - that is an outstanding result for them."
From BBC • Jun. 21, 2026
At last he was brought to a complete halt when the river entered a rocky gorge with no foothold on either side.
From "The Incredible Journey" by Sheila Burnford
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.
