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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
He lost his footing and fell down the slope. Be careful. The footing is slippery there.
Recent Examples on the Web These changes would arm job seekers with knowledge that puts everyone on more equal footing, advocacy groups say, and start erasing the large gap in wages between men and women, especially women of color. —
Katie Johnston, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Feb. 2023 Meetings that are either all digital or all in person are a better approach, as everyone is on equal footing. —Paroon Chadha, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2023 Mexico is focused on economic integration for North America, supporting the poor in the Americas and regional relationships that put all governments on equal footing. —Dallas News, 9 Jan. 2023 Mexico is focused on economic integration for North America, supporting the poor in the Americas and regional relationships that put all governments on equal footing. —Colleen Long And Maria Verza, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Jan. 2023 Lopez Obrador is focused on economic integration for North America, supporting the poor in the Americas and regional relationships that put all governments on equal footing. —Arkansas Online, 8 Jan. 2023 Judge Wanda Jones, for example, started 2022 on nearly equal footing with Sutula. —Kaitlin Durbin, cleveland, 8 Jan. 2023 When these two teams met in early October, Macdonald was still getting his footing. —Cincinnati Enquirer, The Enquirer, 12 Jan. 2023 Texas is working hard to secure a footing beyond fossil fuels and its status as a petroleum powerhouse. —Dylan Baddour, San Antonio Express-News, 11 Jan. 2023 See More
Katie Johnston, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Feb. 2023 Meetings that are either all digital or all in person are a better approach, as everyone is on equal footing. —Paroon Chadha, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2023 Mexico is focused on economic integration for North America, supporting the poor in the Americas and regional relationships that put all governments on equal footing. —Dallas News, 9 Jan. 2023 Mexico is focused on economic integration for North America, supporting the poor in the Americas and regional relationships that put all governments on equal footing. —Colleen Long And Maria Verza, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Jan. 2023 Lopez Obrador is focused on economic integration for North America, supporting the poor in the Americas and regional relationships that put all governments on equal footing. —Arkansas Online, 8 Jan. 2023 Judge Wanda Jones, for example, started 2022 on nearly equal footing with Sutula. —Kaitlin Durbin, cleveland, 8 Jan. 2023 When these two teams met in early October, Macdonald was still getting his footing. —Cincinnati Enquirer, The Enquirer, 12 Jan. 2023 Texas is working hard to secure a footing beyond fossil fuels and its status as a petroleum powerhouse. —Dylan Baddour, San Antonio Express-News, 11 Jan. 2023 See More Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing 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
footing 1 of 2
noun
1
as in foundation
an immaterial thing upon which something else rests your donations help provide the charity with a firm financial footing for its work Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- foundation
- basis
- bedrock
- cornerstone
- ground
- groundwork
- base
- keystone
- root
- justification
- underpinning
- support
- premise
- core
- shore
- bottom
- framework
- warp
- infrastructure
- theory
- warp and woof
- mount
- substructure
- focus
- anchorage
- prop
- bed
- substratum
- essence
- assumption
- brace
- stay
- presumption
- buttress
- center
- bulwark
- backbone
- thesis
- rationale
- seat
- kernel
- heart
- warrant
- presupposition
- supposition
- touchstone
- hub
- premiss
- nucleus
- soul
- eye
- quintessence
2
as in situation
position with regard to conditions and circumstances the village's two churches are on a friendly footing Synonyms & Similar Words
- situation
- deal
- status
- story
- posture
- standing
- scene
- picture
- ball game
- state
- spot
- place
- rank
- score
- status quo
3
as in position
the placement of someone or something in relation to others in a vertical arrangement you'll have to work hard to get a better footing in the company Synonyms & Similar Words
- position
- level
- place
- ranking
- standing
- echelon
- situation
- rank
- degree
- status
- stratum
- station
- rung
- condition
- reach(es)
- walk
- estate
- order
- capacity
- rating
- function
footing
2 of 2verb
as in paying
to give what is owed for I'll foot the bill for dinner Synonyms & Similar Words
- paying
- balancing
- standing
- settling
- meeting
- paying off
- recompensing
- liquidating
- discharging
- clearing
- paying up
- ponying up
- springing (for)
- quitting
- anteing (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- repudiating