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
The system continues to bolster its footprint in North Carolina.
—Chase Jordan
march 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
In the past, ranching in the West has caught flak for its heavy footprint on the environment and overreliance on government subsidies.
—Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
At the Oscars’ new home, the red carpet, ceremony, press operations and post-show events can all be staged within a compact footprint that includes the adjacent JW Marriott hotel and its ballroom.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2026
Safa Sefidgari's baby's footprints.
—Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for footprint
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Chase Jordan
march 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
In the past, ranching in the West has caught flak for its heavy footprint on the environment and overreliance on government subsidies.
—Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
At the Oscars’ new home, the red carpet, ceremony, press operations and post-show events can all be staged within a compact footprint that includes the adjacent JW Marriott hotel and its ballroom.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2026
Safa Sefidgari's baby's footprints.
—Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for footprint
Cite this Entry
“Footprint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/footprint. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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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