footprint

A mark left by a foot or shoe on a surface.

• I saw a footprint in the sand.
• Their muddy footprints covered the floor.
• Who left these footprints beside the window?

Similar words: footmark, track

Common phrases: leave a footprint, bare footprint, footprint in sand

The amount of space that a machine or other piece of equipment needs.

• This printer has a small footprint.
• We need a machine with a smaller footprint.
• The computer’s footprint leaves room for a lamp.

Common phrases: small footprint, compact footprint, desktop footprint

The area of ground covered by a building or other structure.

• The building’s footprint is quite small.
• The extension doubled the house’s footprint.
• This plan shows the footprint of each structure.

Common phrases: building footprint, house footprint, footprint of something

The lasting effect someone important has on an area of work or life.

• Her footprint on modern dance is clear.
• The director left a lasting footprint on cinema.
• His work created a distinctive footprint in medical research.

How to use it: footprint on something (The writer left a deep footprint on national literature.)

Similar words: impact, influence, legacy

Common phrases: leave a footprint, lasting footprint, footprint on something