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

Synonyms

• 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

Google says the new Gemma 3 270M can be tuned in a snap and maintains robust performance despite its small footprint. —ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2025

United could lease Spirit’s gates at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, an essential move for enhancing its footprint in Florida. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025

With both chains growing their footprint in the Tennessee, here's how Wawa and Buc-ee's compare. —Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 13 Aug. 2025

Digital footprints help build the case against Aimee Betro Surveillance footage and mobile phone data helped investigators piece together Betro's movements before and after the shooting. —Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 12 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing footprint

• carbon 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