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

Stock futures were rising on Tuesday as investors regained their footing following another brutal artificial-intelligence selloff.

From Barron's

Stock futures were rising on Tuesday as investors regained their footing following another brutal artificial-intelligence selloff.

From Barron's

The bank in 2023 acquired San Francisco boutique investment bank Code Advisors to try to strengthen its footing in Silicon Valley.

From The Wall Street Journal

S&P Global’s monthly manufacturing purchasing managers’ survey signaled steadier footing for the industry in January, with its headline index rising to 50.4 following 11 straight months below the 50 mark separating contraction from expansion.

From The Wall Street Journal

"As schools, workplaces, social programs, churches and civic institutions regained their footing after pandemic disruption, emotional and economic stresses eased and daily routines strengthened," Gelb added.

From BBC

Related Words

• foothold