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
Somaliland’s supporters in Washington view the territory as a potential security ally, with recognition potentially allowing US intelligence to monitor weapons flows, Houthi activity in Yemen, and China’s growing footprint, including Beijing’s military base in neighboring Djibouti.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 20 Mar. 2026
This shift enables precise timekeeping with a far smaller footprint, reports SCMP.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026
Where Crumbs chased a Nasdaq listing and Sprinkles sold to private equity, Baked by Melissa stayed private, taking in just $6 million in outside funding in their 18 year tenure and keeping a light footprint.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
The global outlook is around $100M+ with a 90% offshore footprint or 82 markets.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for footprint
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Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 20 Mar. 2026
This shift enables precise timekeeping with a far smaller footprint, reports SCMP.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026
Where Crumbs chased a Nasdaq listing and Sprinkles sold to private equity, Baked by Melissa stayed private, taking in just $6 million in outside funding in their 18 year tenure and keeping a light footprint.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
The global outlook is around $100M+ with a 90% offshore footprint or 82 markets.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 19 Mar. 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 26 Mar. 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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