footing

[foot-ing]

noun

1. the basis or foundation on which anything is established.

2. the act of one who moves on foot, as in walking or dancing.

3. a secure and established position.

4. a place or support for the feet; foot; surface to stand on; foothold.

5. a firm placing of the feet; foot; stability.

   He regained his footing.

6. Building Trades, Civil Engineering.,  the part of a foundation bearing directly upon the earth.

7. position or status assigned to a person, group, etc., in estimation or treatment.

8. mutual standing; reciprocal relation.

   to be on a friendly footing with someone.

9. entrance into a new position or relationship.

   to gain a footing in society.

10. a fee demanded from a person upon entrance into a trade, society, etc.

11. the act of adding a foot to something, as to a stocking.

12. that which is added as a foot.

13. the act of adding up a column of figures.

14. the total of such a column.

footing

/ ˈfʊtɪŋ /

noun

1. the basis or foundation on which something is established

   the business was on a secure footing

2. the relationship or status existing between two persons, groups, etc

   the two countries were on a friendly footing

3. a secure grip by or for the feet

4. the lower part of a foundation of a column, wall, building, etc

5. 1. the act of adding a column of figures

   2. the total obtained

6. rare,  a fee paid upon entrance into a craft, society, etc, or such an entrance itself

Word History and Origins

Origin of footing¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; foot, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

An inquest concluded his death, from head injuries, was an accident after he lost his footing and fell in a ravine but the conspiracy theories continued online.

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Up until last year, Frew felt like she was on comfortable financial footing.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Whether you’re shopping for a new cook finding their footing, a seasoned host, or the friend who always seems to be boarding another flight, these picks promise memorable meals and indulgences.

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Acknowledging there were specific concerns around the removal of children that needed careful consideration, Mahmood explained she also needed to be fair to British taxpayers "who are footing that bill".

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It is mostly footing the bill via a unique revenue source: distributions from a fund built with oil-and-gas revenues boosted by the fracking boom.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• foothold