footprint

noun

foot·​print ˈfu̇t-ˌprint 

1

: an impression of the foot on a surface

2

a

: the area on a surface covered by something

a tire with a wide footprint

the footprint of a laser beam

b

: range of operation (as of a service)

a global footprint

3

: a marked effect, impression, or impact

left a footprint in the field of research

4

: something that identifies

a genetic footprint

Synonyms

• footmark
• footstep
• step
• trace
• vestige

Examples of footprint in a Sentence

The child left her tiny footprints in the snow.

He walked into the kitchen with his boots on, making muddy footprints on the floor.

The new model has a smaller footprint than the older model.

Recent Examples on the Web

Scientists can learn a lot about extinct animals by studying their footprints, bones and even teeth. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Jan. 2025

The Neon Museum is growing and has secured two new spaces — both indoor and outdoor — that will triple its footprint with a relocation to the downtown Las Vegas Arts District. —Melinda Sheckells, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025

Prime Video is expanding its fantasy footprint with a green light for Rise of the Empress, an adaptation of Julie C. Dao’s book series of the same name. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2025

The Brit news outfit’s TikTok game is particularly strong, raking in over 1 billion views and accounting for 57% of its digital footprint. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing footprint

• carbon footprint

Kids Definition

footprint

noun

foot·​print ˈfu̇t-ˌprint 

: a track left by the foot

Medical Definition

footprint

noun

foot·​print ˈfu̇t-ˌprint 

: an impression of the foot on a surface