Meanings
plural footholds
- governmentAirhead, beachhead, bridgehead, lodgement.
Based on status report 16-C, it seems we're no closer to gaining a foothold in any sector. Without decent recon and greater intel on this enemy, I'm starting to think our efforts are futile. The risks involved and continued loss of resources and lives makes it hard to justify.
2017, BioWare, Mass Effect: Andromeda (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: APEX Status
Synonyms & antonyms
nounA solid grip with the feet.
nounA secure position from which it is difficult to be dislodged.
More synonyms by meaning
nounan area in hostile territory that has been captured and is held awaiting further troops and supplies
nounan initial accomplishment that opens the way for further developments
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Origin
Translations
Bulgarian опора, плацдарм
- опора (opora)a solid grip with the feet
- плацдарм (placdarm)beachhead, bridgehead, lodgement
- предмостие (predmostie)beachhead, bridgehead, lodgement
Danish fodfæste
- fodfæstea solid grip with the feet
Esperanto piedteno, piedtenejo
- piedtenoa solid grip with the feet
- piedtenejo(by extension) a secure position
Finnish jalansija, jalansija
- jalansijaa solid grip with the feet
- jalansija(by extension) a secure position
- jalansijabeachhead, bridgehead, lodgement
- sillanpääbeachhead, bridgehead, lodgement
French point d'appui
- point d'appuia solid grip with the feet
German Halt, fester Stand
- Halta solid grip with the feet
- fester Standa solid grip with the feet
Greek βάση, βάση
- βάση (vási)a solid grip with the feet
- βάση (vási)beachhead, bridgehead, lodgement
Irish lán coise
- lán coisea solid grip with the feet
Norwegian Bokmål fotfeste
- fotfestea solid grip with the feet
Portuguese apoio para os pés
- apoio para os pésa solid grip with the feet
Russian опо́ра для ноги́, плацда́рм
- опо́ра для ноги́ (opóra dlja nogí)a solid grip with the feet
- плацда́рм (placdárm)beachhead, bridgehead, lodgement
- опо́рный пункт (opórnyj punkt)beachhead, bridgehead, lodgement
Spanish punto de apoyo, apoyatura podal
- punto de apoyoa solid grip with the feet
- apoyatura podala solid grip with the feet
Swedish fotfäste
- fotfästea solid grip with the feet
Cite this entry
foothold. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/foothold
“foothold.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/foothold. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “foothold,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/foothold.
Source: foothold on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.