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

… a mini-transmitter … with a modest 5-inch x 5-inch x 3-inch footprint …

—Dennis P. Barker

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

An Austrian artist canceled plans to sell 300 items of digital art … because of their mind-boggling environmental footprint.

—Natasha Frost

see also carbon footprint

4

: something that identifies

a genetic footprint

Synonyms of footprint

• 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

Officials said the 765-kV line delivers the same capacity as three 345-kV double-circuit lines with a slightly wider footprint. —Lana Ferguson, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026

Open shelving highlights the back wall of the space, maintaining the visual footprint without sacrificing storage. —Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2026

Companies must meet certain expectations — such as the number of jobs created, wages paid and physical footprint — laid out in the plan to qualify for the rebate. —Makenzie Huber, States Newsroom, 19 Feb. 2026

To Smetters’s point, Deere has evaluated and renegotiated supply contracts and considered shifting some sourcing and production footprints to reduce tariff exposure and input‑cost increases. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026

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