foot·ing

/ˈfʊtıŋ/ noun

1 [singular]

1 a : the ability of your feet to stay where you put them as you walk, run, etc.

The loose stones made it difficult for me to maintain/keep my footing. [=to avoid slipping or falling]

He lost his footing and fell down the slope.

1 b : the condition of the ground that makes it easy or hard for your feet to stay where you put them as you walk or run

Be careful. The footing is slippery there.

2 [singular]

2 a — used to describe the kind of relationship that exists between people, countries, etc.;

— usually used with on

a nation that is on a friendly footing with its neighbors [=a nation that has friendly relations with its neighbors]

They all started on an equal footing (with one another). = They all started on the same footing. [=none of them had an advantage when they started]

2 b : the base or foundation on which something is established : ↑basis

— usually used with on

put the business on a firm financial footing

3 [count] : the base or foundation on which a structure is built

— usually plural

the footings of a building/bridge

pour concrete footings for a garage