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 launch of Deer Valley East Village — the first major public alpine ski resort development in North America in more than 40 years — is adding roughly 3,700 acres of new skiable terrain, nearly tripling the resort’s footprint.
—Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Replacing virgin materials with recycled alternatives can reduce that footprint.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 22 Jan. 2026
Its 1,200-acre footprint includes a pool carved into natural rock formations, bungalows adorned with sleek modern wood furniture and views of the sea, a golf course, polo, and three separate restaurants.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2026
Baranes said the building's footprint extends just about 300 feet into the South Lawn.
—Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for footprint
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Replacing virgin materials with recycled alternatives can reduce that footprint.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 22 Jan. 2026
Its 1,200-acre footprint includes a pool carved into natural rock formations, bungalows adorned with sleek modern wood furniture and views of the sea, a golf course, polo, and three separate restaurants.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2026
Baranes said the building's footprint extends just about 300 feet into the South Lawn.
—Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 22 Jan. 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 23 Jan. 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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