foothold

noun

foot·​hold ˈfu̇t-ˌhōld How to pronounce foothold (audio)
Synonyms of footholdnext
1
: a hold for the feet : footing
2
: a position usable as a base for further advance
The company secured a foothold in the market.

Examples of foothold in a Sentence

The army gained a foothold on the island. The company has secured a foothold in the market.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The company has also built a strong foothold in comedy, serving as the home to Netflix Is a Joke Radio and Comedy Central Radio, alongside talent including Conan O’Brien, Kevin Hart, Jeff Foxworthy, and Larry the Cable Guy. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2026 In some ways, non-native plants help stabilize soils while native species get a foothold. Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026 As well as his eight goal involvements (two goals, six assists) in 20 games, he was also valued for his ability to hold onto possession and help the side get a foothold in games. Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026 Sleeping upside down Once Orion reached Earth orbit after launch, two of the crew seats, as well as the footholds of the other two seats, were stowed away and will remain that way until reentry at the mission’s end. Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for foothold

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of foothold was circa 1577

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Cite this Entry

“Foothold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foothold. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

foothold

noun
foot·​hold -ˌhōld How to pronounce foothold (audio)
1
: a hold for the feet : footing
2
: a position usable as a base for further advance

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