foot

1 of 2

noun

ˈfu̇t 

plural feet ˈfēt  also foot

1

: the terminal part of the vertebrate (see vertebrate entry 1) leg upon which an individual stands

2

: an invertebrate organ of locomotion or attachment

especially : a ventral (see ventral entry 1 sense 1b) muscular surface or process of a mollusk

3

: any of various units of length based on the length of the human foot

especially : a unit equal to ¹/₃ yard and comprising 12 inches

—plural foot used between a number and a noun

a 10-foot pole

—plural feet or foot used between a number and an adjective

6 feet tall

see Weights and Measures Table

4

: the basic unit of verse meter consisting of any of various fixed combinations or groups of stressed and unstressed or long and short syllables

Each line of the poem contains five feet.

5

a

: motion or power of walking or running : step

fleet of foot

b

: speed, swiftness

showed early foot

6

: something resembling a foot in position or use: such as

a

: the lower end of the leg of a chair or table

b(1)

: the basal portion of the sporophyte in mosses

(2)

: a specialized outgrowth by which the embryonic sporophyte especially of many bryophytes absorbs nourishment from the gametophyte

c

: a piece on a sewing machine that presses the cloth against the feed

7

foot plural, chiefly British : infantry

8

: the lower edge (as of a sail)

9

: the lowest part : bottom

the foot of the hill

10

a

: the end that is lower or opposite the head

the foot of the bed

b

: the part (as of a stocking) that covers the foot

11

foots plural in form but singular or plural in construction : material deposited especially in aging or refining : dregs

12

foots plural : footlights

foot

2 of 2

verb

footed; footing; foots

intransitive verb

1

: dance

2

: to go on foot

3

of a sailboat : to make speed : move

transitive verb

1

a

: to perform the movements of (a dance)

b

: to walk, run, or dance on, over, or through

2

archaic

a

: kick

b

: reject

3

archaic : establish

4

a

: to add up

b

: to pay or stand credit for

foot the bill

5

: to make or renew the foot of

foot a stocking

Phrases

at one's feet

: under one's spell or influence

The champion loved the feeling that the world was at his feet.

foot in the door

: the initial step toward a goal

He took a job as a secretary to get his foot in the door.

off one's feet

: in a sitting or lying position

The doctor advised her to stay off her feet.

on foot

: by walking or running

tour the campus on foot

on one's feet

1

: in a standing position

He works on his feet all day.

2

: in an established position or state

The business is finally back on its feet.

3

: in a recovered condition (as from illness)

back on my feet

4

: in an extemporaneous (see extemporaneous sense 1a) manner : while in action

good debaters can think on their feet

to one's feet

: to a standing position

brought the crowd to its feet

Synonyms

Noun

• base
• basement
• bottom
• nadir
• rock bottom

Verb

• ante (up)
• balance
• clear
• discharge
• liquidate
• meet
• pay
• pay off
• pay up
• pony up
• quit
• recompense
• settle
• spring (for)
• stand

Examples of foot in a Sentence

Noun

He was wearing boots on his feet.

tracks made by the feet of a bird

The people in the crowd began to stamp their feet.

They camped at the foot of the mountain.

at the foot of the stairs

the foot of the table

Verb

I'll foot the bill for dinner.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Research has also found that foot reflexology—a type of foot massage—was effective in reducing pain among cancer patients. —Markham Heid, TIME, 13 Dec. 2024

Other players on the Lakers injury report include Jarred Vanderbilt (right foot surgery recovery/left knee effusion), Christian Wood (left knee surgery recovery), and Jaxson Hayes (right ankle sprain/contusion). —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024

Verb

While tariffs are meant, in part, to de-incentivize foreign manufacturing, consumers often end up footing the brunt of the cost. —Cailey Gleeson, Journal Sentinel, 4 Dec. 2024

The resort has a wooden boardwalk to help guests reach their tents on even footing (Tents 1-12 and 17-20 are often recommended for ease of access). —Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 30 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English fot, from Old English fōt; akin to Old High German fuot foot, Latin ped-, pes, Greek pod-, pous

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing foot

• acre-foot
• athlete's foot
• bird's-foot trefoil
• bird's-foot violet
• board foot
• calf's-foot jelly
• claw-foot
• cloven foot
• crow's foot
• fescue foot
• fleet of foot
• foot-and-mouth disease
• foot-candle
• foot-dragging
• foot fault
• foot patrol
• foot-pound
• foot-pound-second
• foot rot
• foot soldier
• foot the bill
• foot traffic
• from head to foot/toe
• get one's foot in the door
• get/start off on the right foot
• get/start off on the wrong foot
• hand and foot
• hand, foot and mouth disease
• have one foot in the grave
• lead foot
• light-foot
• my foot
• neat's-foot oil
• not touch (someone or something) with a ten-foot pole
• pedestrian/foot traffic
• put a foot wrong
• put one foot in front of the other
• put one's best foot forward
• put one's foot down
• put one's foot in it
• put one's foot in one's mouth
• set foot in
• set foot on
• shoot oneself in the foot
• single-foot
• the boot is on the other foot
• the shoe is on the other foot
• trench foot
• tube foot
• wait on (someone) hand and foot
• wouldn't touch (something) with a 10-foot pole
• wrong-foot

Kids Definition

foot

1 of 2 noun

ˈfu̇t 

plural feet ˈfēt  also foot

1

a

: the end part of the leg below the ankle of a vertebrate animal

b

: an organ upon which an invertebrate animal stands or moves

especially : a bottom muscular part of a mollusk

2

: a unit of length equal to ⅓ yard or 12 inches (0.3048 meter)

a 10-foot pole

six feet tall

see measure

3

: the basic unit of verse meter made up of a group of accented and unaccented syllables

4

: something resembling an animal's foot in position or use or in being opposite the head

the foot of a mountain

the foot of a bed

foot

2 of 2 verb

1

a

: dance entry 1 sense 1

b

: walk entry 1 sense 1

c

: run entry 1 sense 1a

2

a

: to add up

b

: to pay or provide for paying

foot the bill

Medical Definition

foot

noun

ˈfu̇t 

plural feet ˈfēt  also foot

1

: the terminal part of the vertebrate leg upon which an individual stands

2

: any of various units of length based on the length of the human foot

especially : a unit equal to ¹/₃ yard or 12 inches or 30.48 centimeters

—plural foot used between a number and a noun

a 10-foot pole

—plural feet or foot used between a number and an adjective

6 feet tall