footing

American  

[foot-ing] / ˈfʊt ɪŋ /

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.

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footing British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of footing

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

Example Sentences

“With the markets taking geopolitics in stride so far, the first trading week of the New Year may likely revolve around whether tech will find its footing after stumbling into the end of the year.”

From Barron's

Yet executives said companies won’t be able to keep footing the bill for tariffs.

From The Wall Street Journal

Harvard University’s electricity lawyers have already documented what common sense told everyone here a long time ago: When industrial customers demand more power, regular people end up footing the bill.

From Salon

Americans might have waited until the last minute to wrap up their holiday shopping, but a nearly 4% rise in total holiday sales suggests consumer demand remained on solid footing.

From Barron's

For employers, higher minimum wage costs and National Insurance contributions announced last year mean they're footing higher costs in an economy with sluggish growth.

From BBC

Related Words

• foothold