footprint

foot-print · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The impression left by a foot or shoe on a surface.

  2. 2.

    The area of ground covered by a building or structure.

  3. 3.

    (Environmental) The impact of human activity measured in terms of resources used or emissions produced.

  4. 4.

    (Computing) The amount of memory or storage space required by a program or device.

Forms

plural: footprints

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    carbon footprint — total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an entity
  • •
    ecological footprint — measure of environmental impact
  • •
    digital footprint — trace left by online activity

Related words

See also: footprints, trace, track
Synonyms: impression, mark, trace, track

Etymology

Compound of foot + print, first recorded in the 16th century. The figurative senses developed in the late 20th century.