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

Millions of young adults are struggling to find their footing in a workforce that’s being reshaped by technology, AI, and rapid industry changes. —Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

Boeing has struggled to regain its footing after a door plug blew out midair in January 2024, sparking a new safety crisis at the company that was trying to put behind it the fallout from two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019. —Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2025

In the second period, both offenses finally found their footing, and Colorado finally scored on Hellebuyck this season after the goalie shut out the Avs in his prior two games against Colorado this year. —Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 22 Jan. 2025

Zoom out: The Laken Riley Act is just the beginning of a barrage of GOP bills that Senate Democrats will have to find their footing on in the coming months. —Stephen Neukam, Axios, 21 Jan. 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

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