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
4
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
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
As Ukraine was forced to shift to defense, the Russian arsenal has been bolstered by the delivery of missiles and drones from Iran and North Korea, while support from China has helped Moscow mitigate the impact of sanctions, helping the Kremlin to convert its economy to a wartime footing.
—
Marc Santora, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024
Competing with Michigan and Ohio State would be tough enough on equal fiscal footing.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for footing 
Marc Santora, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024
Competing with Michigan and Ohio State would be tough enough on equal fiscal footing.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for footing
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'footing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near footing
Cite this Entry
“Footing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/footing. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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