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

The new funding puts OpenAI on strong financial footing, giving it a crucial cash cushion to continue spending aggressively on AI chips for its research and products.

From The Wall Street Journal

New York Fed President John Williams said Monday that the economy was on “good footing” but also that the labor market “has been sending an unusual set of mixed signals.”

From MarketWatch

“We are starting from a strong footing when it comes to the global economy,” said Raphaël Thuin, head of capital market strategies at Tikehau Capital.

From The Wall Street Journal

The developments announced Thursday seem like an extension of Unity’s earlier efforts to regain its footing.

From Barron's

But in many cases, governments end up footing the bill.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• foothold