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

• footstep

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

Apart from buying struggling retailers, Barnes & Noble has expanded its physical footprint. —Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025

As aviation grapples with its environmental footprint, leaders like Barberot demonstrate that sustainability advances often come from unexpected directions. —Karl Moore, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

The company has yet to disclose financial details of the projects, and so far has requested drilling on small footprints totaling 280 acres. —Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 9 Sep. 2025

The all-new Habiton lives and sleeps larger than its footprint thanks an entire room that actually moves back and forth. —New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing footprint

• carbon footprint

Rhymes for footprint

• blueprint
• imprint
• misprint
• newsprint
• nonprint
• preprint
• reprint
• clint
• dint
• glint
• hint
• lint

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