footprint

From foot +‎ print.

• IPA^(key): /ˈfʊtpɹɪnt/

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footprint (plural footprints)

1. The impression of the foot in a soft substance such as sand or snow.

   Synonyms: footmark, ichnogram

   • 1928, Lawrence R. Bourne, chapter 13, in Well Tackled!‎:

     “Yes, there are two distinct sets of footprints, both wearing rubber shoes—one I think ordinary plimsolls, the other goloshes,” replied the sergeant.

2. Space required by a piece of equipment.

   This computer has a smaller footprint.

3. (computing) The amount of hard drive space required for a program.
4. (computing) The audit trail left by a crashed program.
5. (figurative) Profession or lifestyle.

   He is following in his father's footprints.

6. The surface space occupied by a structure.

   the footprint of a building

   • 2007, Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS): Environmental Impact:

     Heavy debris would generally travel farther downrange within the debris footprint; lighter material would generally fall near the point of intercept. Footprint lengths can vary […]

7. A company's geographic market presence.

   The store, which is slated to open next month, increases the company's footprint in the market to 14 locations.

8. (ecology) The ecological impact of a human activity, machine, etc.

   Hyponyms: carbon footprint, ecological footprint

   My carbon footprint is very high.

9. Availability of a satellite from the ground.
   • 2014, August E. Grant; Ashley J. Bennington, Communication Technology Update, page 274:

     When a satellite's footprint covers a wider area than intended, the footprint is said to “spillover” ^[sic] into surrounding territory.

10. (cartography) A polygon representing the shape of an item.

    building footprint

• carbon footprint
• digital footprint
• ecological footprint
• plastic footprint
• water footprint

• footprint on Wikipedia.Wikipedia