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
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
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
Jacket; continue to mop up, patrol and keep the fire within its current footprint.
—
Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2025
The summit also comes amid growing U.S. concern over China's expanding footprint in Africa — particularly rumors that Beijing is scouting port locations along West Africa's coast for possible military use.
—Jewel Bright, NPR, 9 July 2025
The Seahawks have steadily expanded their footprint in British Columbia, concentrating mostly on Vancouver, Whistler and Victoria, but also reaching into Alberta and Saskatchewan, hosting watch parties and flag football championships in both provinces.
—Tim Graham, New York Times, 9 July 2025
The city already received an emergency permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to rebuild the pier in the same footprint as before, Short told commissioners.
—Miami Herald, 9 July 2025
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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Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2025
The summit also comes amid growing U.S. concern over China's expanding footprint in Africa — particularly rumors that Beijing is scouting port locations along West Africa's coast for possible military use.
—Jewel Bright, NPR, 9 July 2025
The Seahawks have steadily expanded their footprint in British Columbia, concentrating mostly on Vancouver, Whistler and Victoria, but also reaching into Alberta and Saskatchewan, hosting watch parties and flag football championships in both provinces.
—Tim Graham, New York Times, 9 July 2025
The city already received an emergency permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to rebuild the pier in the same footprint as before, Short told commissioners.
—Miami Herald, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for footprint
Cite this Entry
“Footprint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/footprint. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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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