footing

noun

foot·​ing ˈfu̇-tiŋ How to pronounce footing (audio)
1
: a stable position or placing of the feet
2
: a surface or its condition with respect to one walking or running on it
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
6
: terms of social intercourse
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

Examples of footing in a Sentence

He lost his footing and fell down the slope. Be careful. The footing is slippery there.
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.
Now more than 70 years after Desai’s encouragement first helped her family find their footing, Sarolia is running a company with eight hotels in its portfolio. Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025 In order for the Jaguars' offense to reach its full potential, the vertical element has to find its footing at some point, as well. Derrik Klassen, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025 While neighbors feasted on the AI boom, Intel couldn’t seem to find its footing. Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025 Shepp announced that Veal earned the rare Girl Scout Saving Award, an accolade reserved for monumental acts of bravery; Veal, along with her mother, helped save the life of a Sand City Beach fisherman who lost his footing and collapsed, pulling him ashore. Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for footing

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of footing was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Footing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/footing. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

footing

noun
foot·​ing ˈfu̇t-iŋ How to pronounce footing (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on footing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!