footprint

noun foot·print \ ˈfu̇t-ˌprint \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of footprint

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

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

4 : something that identifies

a genetic footprint

See footprint defined for English-language learners

See footprint defined for kids

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 of footprint from the Web

Acreage Holdings is keenly focused on expanding its footprint and continuing acquisitions, with aspirations to become the dominant national platform in the space.

— monique judge, The Root, "Bong-Jour: John Boehner Gets Brand-New, Now Supports Cannabis," 11 Apr. 2018
Marvel is expanding its digital footprint, using food.

— graeme mcmillan, The Hollywood Reporter, "Marvel Launches Cooking Show and 4 New Web Series," 9 Apr. 2018
This is a big opportunity for Uber to expand its footprint in most markets.

— johana bhuiyan, Recode, "Here’s why owning a bike-share service makes sense for Uber," 9 Apr. 2018
Popular Community Bank, which operates nearly a dozen branches in South Florida, is rebranding itself Monday as just Popular and intends to expand its footprint in Broward County, the institution’s top regional executive said.

— david lyons, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Popular Community Bank rebrands as Popular, looks toward Broward expansion," 9 Apr. 2018
Central Florida’s most popular German restaurant is expanding Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe is expanding its footprint to now have more than 36,000-square-feet after absorbing the bookstore next door.

— kyle arnold, OrlandoSentinel.com, "15 reasons Sanford has the region's hottest food scene," 6 Apr. 2018
The firm also is looking for ways to expand its footprint.

— aaron gulley, Outside Online, "What's the Deal with Niner's New Ownership?," 5 Apr. 2018
Russia, too, has expanded its military footprint in the country, gaining a foothold in the Mideast unseen since the days of the Cold War, as its president, Vladimir Putin, has pursued an increasingly assertive foreign policy.

— dion nissenbaum, WSJ, "Trump Vows Quick Exit From Syria," 3 Apr. 2018
Since then, Cheniere has expanded its footprint, shipping or planning to ship LNG to places including China and Poland.

— justin worland, Time, "The EPA Head's Controversial Room Rental Is Not His Only Tie to Natural Gas," 30 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'footprint.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.