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
As the anti-India movement in the Maldives gained momentum, China exploited the United States’ absence, rapidly expanding its regional footprint by easing the tremendous debt the island country owed China.
—Muhib Rahman, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2025
Its low ride height makes for easy entry and exit, while a small footprint makes parking a breeze.
—Mark Phelan, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
The Dubai outpost adds to a network of 20 flagships mainly scattered across summer destinations — such as Portofino, Capri, Saint-Tropez, Ibiza and Mykonos — and to a distribution footprint of 400 doors in more than 40 countries.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025
Over the next decade, the joint venture aims to more than double the burger chain’s footprint in the market, from about 1,250 locations today to more than 4,000 by 2035.
—Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for footprint
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Muhib Rahman, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2025
Its low ride height makes for easy entry and exit, while a small footprint makes parking a breeze.
—Mark Phelan, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
The Dubai outpost adds to a network of 20 flagships mainly scattered across summer destinations — such as Portofino, Capri, Saint-Tropez, Ibiza and Mykonos — and to a distribution footprint of 400 doors in more than 40 countries.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025
Over the next decade, the joint venture aims to more than double the burger chain’s footprint in the market, from about 1,250 locations today to more than 4,000 by 2035.
—Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 10 Nov. 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 17 Nov. 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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