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

While the project’s overall footprint shrunk in size, Commissioners Chad Martin and John Shultz voted against the project. — Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026

The big difference is space, with the standard room having a footprint of 350 square feet, whereas the suite has an additional 500 square feet to spread out. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026

Ancient footprints and Bronze Age art Experts didn’t believe marks uncovered by a biologist in New Mexico’s White Sands National Park in 2009 were ancient human footprints. — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026

Combined with battery reserves, the uprated reactors will strengthen grid reliability without expanding the physical footprint of either plant site. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing footprint

• carbon footprint
• digital 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