FOOTHOLD

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does foothold mean? 

• FOOTHOLD (noun)
  The noun FOOTHOLD has 3 senses:

1. an area in hostile territory that has been captured and is held awaiting further troops and supplies

2. a place providing support for the foot in standing or climbing

3. an initial accomplishment that opens the way for further developments

  Familiarity information: FOOTHOLD used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FOOTHOLD (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An area in hostile territory that has been captured and is held awaiting further troops and supplies

Classified under:

Nouns denoting spatial position

Synonyms:

bridgehead; foothold

Context example:

the only foothold left for British troops in Europe was Gibraltar

Hypernyms ("foothold" is a kind of...):

combat area; combat zone (a military area where combat forces operate)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "foothold"):

airhead (a bridgehead seized by airborne troops)

beachhead (a bridgehead on the enemy's shoreline seized by an amphibious operation)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A place providing support for the foot in standing or climbing

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

foothold; footing

Hypernyms ("foothold" is a kind of...):

support (any device that bears the weight of another thing)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "foothold"):

toehold (a small foothold used in climbing)

Sense 3

Meaning:

An initial accomplishment that opens the way for further developments

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

beachhead; foothold

Context example:

they are presently attempting to gain a foothold in the Russian market

Hypernyms ("foothold" is a kind of...):

accomplishment; achievement (the action of accomplishing something)

 Context examples 

Beyond stretched the rugged rock, wet and shining, with a green tuft here and there thrusting out from it, but little sign of ridge or foothold.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

This protective mechanism also allows circulating cancer cells to get a foothold in the lung.

(Oxygen can impair cancer immunotherapy in mice, NIH)

A few small footholds presented themselves, and there was some indication of a ledge.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)