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

That left Hot Docs president Marie Nelson — the former ABC News and Disney exec who took the helm at the Canadian festival in June 2023 — to warn of a widening cash crunch as the organization struggled to regain its footing coming out of the pandemic. —Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 June 2024

Both teams are trying to find their footing and coach Oscar Pareja knows his team has a difficult matchup. —Kyle Foley, Orlando Sentinel, 21 June 2024

After moving to New York, Nicholson spent years trying to find her footing as a performer. —Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2024

The calf had tried — and failed — to get out of the lake but was struggling to gain its footing on the metal float with its hoofs, the Associated Press reported. —Jennifer Hassan, Washington Post, 19 June 2024

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

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