footnote

1 of 2

noun

foot·​note ˈfu̇t-ˌnōt 

1

: a note of reference, explanation, or comment usually placed below the text on a printed page

2

a

: one that is a relatively subordinate or minor part (as of an event, work, or field)

a movement now regarded as a footnote to architectural history

b

: commentary sense 3a

footnote

2 of 2

verb

footnoted; footnoting; footnotes

transitive verb

: to furnish with a footnote : annotate

Examples of footnote in a Sentence

Noun

a movement now regarded as a footnote to history

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The details of how the Padres finally put to bed an 8-7 victory with Ty France’s tiebreaking home run and three scoreless innings from the bullpen were almost footnotes to the game’s dubiously historic beginning. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2026

But if even one of the two sides is able to advance to the World Cup’s final four, Kansas City would add another strong footnote to its summer of international soccer. — Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026

Verb

Investors can scrutinize revenue by segment, depreciation schedules, pension liabilities, and footnotes about operating leases. — Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2026

The pull toward explanation, footnotes, forcing a journalistic clarity in a literary piece that engages the politics that frame it. — Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1711, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1864, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for footnote

• afloat
• azote
• banknote
• bareboat
• benzoate
• connote
• cutthroat
• demote
• denote
• devote
• endnote
• greatcoat

Kids Definition

footnote

noun

foot·​note

-ˌnōt

: a note of reference, explanation, or comment usually placed below the text on a printed page

footnote verb