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
The festival’s footprint is also laid out in a sunny and concise area of the university campus.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
During the event, Vietnam’s deputy minister of industry and trade, Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan, highlighted how FedEx’s global footprint would complement Viettel Post’s domestic network to ultimately enhance Vietnam’s ability to scale exports worldwide.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 24 Apr. 2026
In Suarez’s case, he was accused of crossing the walkway after chalking the soles of his shoes, which Worrell said left no footprints attributable to him while the trooper who arrested him did not fill out a questionnaire seeking more information about the arrest.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Glass bottles are used in place of plastic and careful attention has been paid to keep the camp’s footprint as light as possible.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for footprint
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Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
During the event, Vietnam’s deputy minister of industry and trade, Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan, highlighted how FedEx’s global footprint would complement Viettel Post’s domestic network to ultimately enhance Vietnam’s ability to scale exports worldwide.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 24 Apr. 2026
In Suarez’s case, he was accused of crossing the walkway after chalking the soles of his shoes, which Worrell said left no footprints attributable to him while the trooper who arrested him did not fill out a questionnaire seeking more information about the arrest.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Glass bottles are used in place of plastic and careful attention has been paid to keep the camp’s footprint as light as possible.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for footprint
Cite this Entry
“Footprint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/footprint. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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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