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.
The Burmese python, however, is well established and is believed to have gained a stronger foothold after Hurricane Andrew hit in 1992. Alan Clemons, Outdoor Life, 20 Feb. 2025 Some advocates say easements remain an important tool to protect small farms and help younger farmers gain a foothold, even if those growers are among the least efficient producers in the industry. Alexandra Byrne, NBC News, 16 Feb. 2025 The space is competitive as more apparel retailers from around the world gain a foothold in the U.S. The company also has room to grow its e-commerce operations, where Uniqlo lags many of its rivals. Christian Nunley, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2025 When Denmark was occupied by the Nazis in 1940, the Danish Ambassador to the United States worked with the US to prevent Greenland from becoming a Nazi foothold in the western hemisphere. Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 10 Feb. 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 8 Mar. 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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