foothold

noun

foot·​hold ˈfu̇t-ˌhōld How to pronounce foothold (audio)
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
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.
For the first time, exoskeleton technology is gaining traction and finding a strong foothold among individuals who want to walk and hike more, but could use that extra little push. Borislav "bobby" Marinov, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 Russell was plenty involved Saturday as Real Salt Lake found a foothold in the game deep into the first half. Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 29 June 2025 The American government at the time worried that Mossadegh’s government signaled an end to Western footholds in the region in the face of Cold War-era anxieties and the USSR’s push to expand its influence. Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 24 June 2025 Iran isn't Iraq, and Israel is a crucial ally that represents the only foothold of democracy in the region. Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025 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 12 Jul. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on foothold

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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