carbon footprint

noun

: the amount of greenhouse gases and specifically carbon dioxide emitted by something (such as a person's activities or a product's manufacture and transport) during a given period

Examples of carbon footprint in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Schneider Electric’s very own smart factory does live up to its name in terms of throughput, process efficiencies and a lower carbon footprint. Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025 Whatever California does to reduce its carbon footprint to zero will be expensive and California consumers will face even higher costs of living, in the same way President Donald Trump’s tariffs impact prices. Dan Walters, Mercury News, 11 May 2025 Northern Illinois Food Bank sent 1.2 million pounds of food over the last year, reducing its carbon footprint by more than half, said Chris Gillette, the food bank’s director of operations. Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2025 This is despite these populations having a far smaller carbon footprint relative to wealthy, white populations. Jerel Ezell, Time, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for carbon footprint

Word History

First Known Use

1999, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of carbon footprint was in 1999

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Cite this Entry

“Carbon footprint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carbon%20footprint. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

carbon footprint

noun
: the amount of greenhouse gases and especially carbon dioxide given off by something (as a person's activities or a product's manufacture and transport) during a given period
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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