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 enlarged vision of the classics slowly taking shape in the American academy, Yanxiao has found an intellectual foothold. Chang Che, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026 She wasn’t dissuaded two years later — and mid-renovation — when a $475 million Target distribution center was announced for the small city, creating an industrial foothold in a mostly agrarian area. Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 6 Mar. 2026 Cigna did keep a foothold in the Medicare business in the sale. Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2026 Both Matchroom and Queensberry have long-term lucrative deals with broadcaster DAZN, which give them a foothold in the sport to stage major events, so neither side is panicking. Chris McKenna, New York Times, 28 Feb. 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 Mar. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on foothold

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