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.
In the second half of the 20th century, these lines helped Republicans establish a foothold in what had been the solidly Democratic South. Sam Gringlas, NPR, 27 May 2026 In a year when most might expect an organization to finally find a foothold with its third-year head coach and system, the Commanders are starting anew — new schemes, new coordinators and a seemingly new approach. Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 27 May 2026 Crowds came, sponsors signed on and the fest got a strong early foothold. Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 26 May 2026 Moreover, even China’s meager foothold has been eroding over the past five years. George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 25 May 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 28 May. 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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