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

But its small footprint keeps everything contained, visible, and easy to access. —Kayla Kitts, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2026

Along with streaming, the show’s linear ratings held up well even as cord-cutting eroded the overall footprint of cable TV. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 8 May 2026

Macy’s shuttered two California locations this year and will reduce its footprint by 30% in 2027. —Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026

In terms of its retail footprint, Costa Brazil is at Bluemercury, online at Nordstrom, in hotels and soon to launch at Bloomingdale’s. —Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 8 May 2026

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