Meaning & Definition of word "Footprint"

Footprint

/ˈfʊtˌprɪnt/

noun:

  • 1. A mark or impression made by a foot; a track.
    • Example: The detective found a muddy footprint near the crime scene.
  • 2. An indication of the presence or influence of something.
    • Example: The company's carbon footprint has decreased significantly due to their new policies.
  • 3. The space occupied by a product or device.
    • Example: This compact printer has a smaller footprint than the previous model.

Etymology

Foot + print; referring to the impression made by the foot.

Common Phrases and Expressions

carbon footprint:

The total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities.

footprint analysis:

An examination of the space or resources used by a particular item or activity.

digital footprint:

The trail of data left by interactions in a digital environment.

Related Words

imprint:

A mark or depression made by pressure.

traces:

Signs or evidence of something that has happened.

shadow:

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

Slang Meanings of footprint

Meaning: To leave a mark or impression in various contexts.

Example Sentence: He really made his footprint in the industry with that last project.

Meaning: A term used in tech to refer to one's digital presence.

Example Sentence: You need to be aware of your digital footprint when posting online.