noun Uncommon

foothold

FUUT-hohld

Foothold (noun) means a secure place to put one's foot when climbing. Example: “He searched the rock face for a solid foothold.”

noun

A secure place to put one's foot when climbing.

"He searched the rock face for a solid foothold."

A secure position from which further progress can be made (figurative).

"The company finally gained a foothold in the Asian market."

How to use foothold

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA firm place to stand, literally when climbing or figuratively when starting to succeed somewhere new.

Common pairings

gain a foothold secure foothold lose one's foothold

Word forms

footholds plural

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He searched the rock face for a solid _____.

Etymology

From foot + hold.

Synonyms

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footing beachhead bridgehead

Related words

base basis foundation footing beachhead bridgehead airhead

Frequently asked questions

What does “foothold” mean?

The word “foothold” means a secure place to put one's foot when climbing. In plain terms, a firm place to stand, literally when climbing or figuratively when starting to succeed somewhere new.

How do you pronounce “foothold”?

“Foothold” is pronounced FUUT-hohld (/ˈfʊthoʊld/ in IPA).

How do you use “foothold” in a sentence?

Here is “foothold” used in a sentence: “He searched the rock face for a solid foothold.”

What part of speech is “foothold”?

“Foothold” is a noun.

Is “foothold” a common word?

“Foothold” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “foothold” have?

“Foothold” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a secure place to put one's foot when climbing.

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base basis foundation footing beachhead bridgehead airhead