foothold
noun
foot·hold
ˈfu̇t-ˌhōld 
1
: a hold for the feet : footing
2
: a position usable as a base for further advance
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
The launch represents a strategic move to tap into Shahid’s extensive regional user base and establish a foothold in the Arabic-speaking entertainment landscape.
—
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 June 2025
Legacy media companies have struggled to maintain their foothold in recent years as viewers shift to alternative platforms for news and entertainment.
—Alain Sherter, CBS News, 9 June 2025
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, in 1991, democratic institutions and norms spread to much of eastern Europe (including, briefly, to Russia), as well as to other parts of the world, notably Latin America, and gained some foothold in Africa.
—Robert O. Keohane, Foreign Affairs, 2 June 2025
At the time, defense leaders predicted the pullout would endanger counterterrorism efforts in an important regional foothold.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for foothold
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.
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 June 2025
Legacy media companies have struggled to maintain their foothold in recent years as viewers shift to alternative platforms for news and entertainment.
—Alain Sherter, CBS News, 9 June 2025
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, in 1991, democratic institutions and norms spread to much of eastern Europe (including, briefly, to Russia), as well as to other parts of the world, notably Latin America, and gained some foothold in Africa.
—Robert O. Keohane, Foreign Affairs, 2 June 2025
At the time, defense leaders predicted the pullout would endanger counterterrorism efforts in an important regional foothold.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for foothold
Cite this Entry
“Foothold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foothold. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share