footprint
A mark that a foot or shoe makes on the ground, for example in mud, sand, or snow.
A mark or impression left on a surface by a foot, shoe, or animal paw.
The total harm that a person, company, or activity causes to the environment, especially the amount of gas that warms the Earth.
The overall effect that a person, organization, or activity has on the environment, especially the amount of greenhouse gases it produces.
The space on the ground that a building or object takes up.
The area of ground covered by a building, structure, or object when viewed from above.
How much memory, disk space, or power a program or device needs to run.
The amount of computing resources, such as memory, disk space, or processing power, that a program, system, or device uses.
How big and wide a company’s presence is in different places or markets.
The extent of an organization’s presence or operations in particular geographic areas or markets.
- Base: footprint
- Plural: footprints
environmental footprint
1overall effect on the environment
The total harm or pressure that something causes to nature and the environment.
- Tourism can have a heavy environmental footprint on small islands.
- The product is designed to have a low environmental footprint.
- We must consider the environmental footprint of large events.
expand its footprint
1grow a company’s presence
For a company to grow and be active in more places or markets.
- The retailer plans to expand its footprint in Eastern Europe.
- The airline is expanding its footprint in the luxury travel market.
- The startup hopes to expand its footprint beyond the local region.
global footprint
1company’s presence around the world
How big a company’s business is around the world and in how many places it works.
- The brand has built a huge global footprint over the past decade.
- They aim to expand their global footprint through partnerships.
- Tech firms with a large global footprint face complex regulations.
reduce your carbon footprint
1lower the greenhouse gases you cause
To do things that make the amount of greenhouse gases you cause go down.
- There are many simple ways to reduce your carbon footprint at home.
- Taking public transport can help you reduce your carbon footprint.
- The campaign teaches people how to reduce their carbon footprint through daily choices.
small footprint
1uses very little space
Describes something that does not take up much space, especially on the ground or on a surface.
- The printer has a small footprint and fits easily on a desk.
- City homes need furniture with a small footprint.
- This model offers high power in a small footprint.
carbon footprint
1Total greenhouse gas emissions
The amount of carbon gases you or something puts into the air.
- Taking the train instead of flying can greatly reduce your carbon footprint.
- Driving less is an easy way to lower your carbon footprint.
- The company is working to shrink its carbon footprint through renewable energy.
- The calculator shows the carbon footprint of your weekly shopping.
- Our goal is to cut our carbon footprint in half by 2030.
digital footprint
3Record of online activities
Information about you that stays on the internet because of what you do online.
- Be careful about what you post; it becomes part of your digital footprint.
- Be careful what you post; it all becomes part of your digital footprint.
- Employers sometimes check applicants’ digital footprints before hiring.
- Employers sometimes check a candidate's digital footprint before hiring.
- Parents are advised to manage their children's digital footprint from an early age.
ecological footprint
1Total environmental impact measure
The amount of land, water, and other natural resources a person, group, or country uses and affects through their lifestyle.
- Flying less is one way to reduce your ecological footprint.
- The report compares the ecological footprint of different countries.
- Moving to a plant-based diet can reduce your ecological footprint.
- Our ecological footprint has grown as we consume more energy and products.
- Cities are trying to shrink their ecological footprint through better planning.