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
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
Natasha Frost4
: something that identifies
a genetic footprint
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
Microsoft was plainly not about to wash away its own or anyone else’s footprint.
—Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
The festival has expanded its footprint by bringing the neighboring Scottsdale Stadium into the mix while targeting a broader mix of music lovers with a more eclectic assortment of acts.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Following disappointing earnings results, the focus will be on building a future-fit portfolio with an attractive growth footprint.
—Vogue Business Team, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2025
The company’s wider footprint in India includes two APM Terminals across Pipavav and Mumbai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Port, facilitating throughput of over 3 million containers every year.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for footprint
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Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
The festival has expanded its footprint by bringing the neighboring Scottsdale Stadium into the mix while targeting a broader mix of music lovers with a more eclectic assortment of acts.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Following disappointing earnings results, the focus will be on building a future-fit portfolio with an attractive growth footprint.
—Vogue Business Team, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2025
The company’s wider footprint in India includes two APM Terminals across Pipavav and Mumbai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Port, facilitating throughput of over 3 million containers every year.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for footprint
Cite this Entry
“Footprint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/footprint. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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