Added 9 October 2026
footstep
/ˈfʊtstɛp/ noun
In Latin: vestigium Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about footstep at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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The mark or impression left by a foot; a track.
The child watched as his footsteps in the sand were washed away by the waves.
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The indications or waypoints of a course or direction taken.
To walk the footsteps of greatness requires that you start at the bottom of a long stair.
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The sound made by walking, running etc.
The footsteps of the students echoed in the empty hall.
Origin
From Middle English fotstep, fotstappe, from Old English *fōtstepe, *fōtstæpe (attested only in derivative fōtstappel (“footstep”)), equivalent to foot + step. Cognate with Saterland Frisian Foutstappe (“footstep”), West Frisian fuotstap (“footstep”), Dutch voetstap (“footstep”).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)