footnote

1 of 2

noun

foot·​note ˈfu̇t-ˌnōt 

1

: a note of reference, explanation, or comment usually placed below the text on a printed page

2

a

: one that is a relatively subordinate or minor part (as of an event, work, or field)

a movement now regarded as a footnote to architectural history

b

: commentary sense 3a

footnote

2 of 2

verb

footnoted; footnoting; footnotes

transitive verb

: to furnish with a footnote : annotate

Examples of footnote in a Sentence

Noun

a movement now regarded as a footnote to history

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Scholars revive John Dickinson, the founder long reduced to a footnote as the man who wouldn’t sign the Declaration of Independence. — Hillel Italie, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026

However, the footnotes reveal that a company – identified as Engineering and Consulting Services Southwest (ECS) – had submitted a Texas 811 ticket on May 21. — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Verb

Investors can scrutinize revenue by segment, depreciation schedules, pension liabilities, and footnotes about operating leases. — Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2026

The pull toward explanation, footnotes, forcing a journalistic clarity in a literary piece that engages the politics that frame it. — Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1711, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1864, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for footnote

• afloat
• azote
• banknote
• bareboat
• benzoate
• connote
• cutthroat
• demote
• denote
• devote
• endnote
• greatcoat

Kids Definition

footnote

noun

foot·​note

-ˌnōt

: a note of reference, explanation, or comment usually placed below the text on a printed page

footnote verb