toehold \ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷\noun 1.: a hold or place of support for the toes (as in climbing): as a.: a means of progressing (as in gaining entry or surmounting barriers) < hoped his uncle could give him a toehold in the import business > b.: a slight footing : very little power, influence, or territory < at this time the Turks had only a toehold in Europe > 2.: a wrestling hold in which the aggressor bends or twists his opponent's foot