# footing

/ˈfʊtɪŋ/ (US) · /fˈʊtɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/footing
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. physical balance

noun · CEFR B2

the ability to stand or move without falling on a difficult surface.

For teachers: the state of having a stable or secure position for the feet; physical balance on a surface.

- He lost his footing on the icy path and nearly fell into the bushes.
- The climbers struggled to maintain their footing as the loose shale shifted beneath their boots with every upward step.

### 2. basis of a relationship

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the position or status you have when dealing with other people.

For teachers: the basis or foundation on which a relationship, organisation, or process exists.

- The two companies are now on an equal footing after the new contract.
- The peace treaty was designed to put the neighbouring nations on a more secure diplomatic footing after decades of border disputes.

### 3. structural foundation

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the wide part at the bottom of a wall that supports a building.

For teachers: the widened base of a foundation wall or column, designed to distribute the structural load over a larger area of soil.

- The builders poured concrete into the trenches to create a solid footing for the house.
- The structural engineer insisted on deeper footings to account for the high clay content and potential for soil expansion during the rainy season.

### 4. accounting total

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the act of adding up a column of numbers to find the total.

For teachers: the process of summing a column of figures in an account or ledger.

- She checked the footing of the sales column to ensure the books balanced.
- An error in the initial footing of the balance sheet led to a significant discrepancy that was only discovered during the final audit.

## Examples

- The two countries are now on an equal footing.
- After the promotion, she felt she was finally on a professional footing with her senior colleagues.
- The company struggled to regain its financial footing after a series of unexpected market shifts and a costly legal battle with its primary competitor.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.