footing

1 of 2

noun

foot·​ing ˈfu̇-tiŋ 

1

: a stable position or placing of the feet

lost his footing and fell

2

: a surface or its condition with respect to one walking or running on it

Be careful—the footing is slippery there.

especially : the condition of a racetrack

3

: the act of moving on foot : step, tread

4

a

: a place or position providing a base of operations : foothold

b

: established position : status

especially : position or rank in relation to others

They all started off on an equal footing.

5

: basis

put the business on a firm financial footing

6

: terms of social intercourse

neighbors on a friendly footing

7

: an enlargement at the lower end of a foundation wall, pier, or column to distribute the load

8

: the sum of a column of figures

footing

2 of 2

present participle of foot entry 2

Synonyms of footing

Noun

• basis
• foundation
• bedrock
• cornerstone

Examples of footing in a Sentence

Noun

He lost his footing and fell down the slope.

Be careful. The footing is slippery there.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

While Big Tech companies have aggressively expanded their AI footprint, the iPhone maker has struggled to find its footing. — Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026

The levies followed weeks of trade negotiations that broke down, putting the longtime allies on unfamiliar footing. — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2026

Chang’e-7’s launch delay could put this chapter of the space race — as US officials have referred to the standoff with China — back on competitive footing. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

And in a region that has long struggled to find stable economic footing, the hope is that Electric Boat’s growth will have effects that will be felt across Connecticut more broadly. — P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing footing

• on an equal footing
• on firm ground/footing
• war footing

Rhymes for footing

• outputting

Kids Definition

footing

noun

foot·​ing ˈfu̇t-iŋ 

1

a

: the placing of one's feet in a position to secure a firm or safe stand

b

: a place for the foot to rest securely

2

a

: a place or position providing a base of operations : foothold sense 2

b

: position with respect to one another : status

all started off on an equal footing

c

: basis

put the business on a firm footing