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

To maneuver its large footprint, there’s rear-axle steering that switches to parallel steering above 50 mph (80 km/h). — New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026

Inside was a tumble of papers, some moldy, some with partial footprints, leaves and twigs interspersed among the pages. — Anja Aronowsky Cronberg, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026

Kwan’s push to expand the family office’s geographical footprint correlates with global wealth flows, as HNWIs worldwide look to diversify their assets across different geographies. — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

The structure of regional exclusivity exists across MLB and the NHL as well, along with the possibility of a single fan being within the regional footprint of multiple teams. — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 23 Oct. 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