footing

noun

foot·​ing ˈfu̇-tiŋ 

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

Synonyms

• base
• basis
• bedrock
• bottom
• cornerstone
• foundation
• ground
• groundwork
• keystone
• root
• underpinning
• warp
• warp and woof

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

The economy appears to be on solid footing as the ramifications of trade policy uncertainty begin to be felt. —Jeffrey Schulze, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025

Treasury yields spiked higher Friday on the back of hotter-than-expected U.S. jobs data, as investors breathed a sigh of relief that the U.S. economy remains on solid footing. —Sean Conlon,alex Harring,jenni Reid, CNBC, 6 June 2025

Now on firm financial footing, Psycho Bunny operates more than 100 stores in North America and about the same number overseas, and has a solid wholesale business. —Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 6 June 2025

Fortunately, the show quickly remembered its roots: Season 2 found both its footing and a more fitting air date, returning in June of 2023. —Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 30 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

• inputting
• 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