carbon footprint

noun

: the amount of greenhouse gases and specifically carbon dioxide emitted by something (such as a person's activities or a product's manufacture and transport) during a given period

Examples of carbon footprint in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For most companies, Scope 3 emissions—those generated by suppliers and logistics—make up 70% or more of their total carbon footprint. Romain Pison, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025 These have a lower carbon footprint, zero waste, and can be on-shored in-store or in the region. Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 14 Apr. 2025 Then there’s the heavy carbon footprint associated with ingredient transportation from different parts of the world. Joshua Britton, Time, 2 Apr. 2025 Image Fuchs got to work developing a way to calculate the carbon footprint of everything that goes into a performance at the opera house. Joshua Barone, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for carbon footprint

Word History

First Known Use

1999, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of carbon footprint was in 1999

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Carbon footprint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carbon%20footprint. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

carbon footprint

noun
: the amount of greenhouse gases and especially carbon dioxide given off by something (as a person's activities or a product's manufacture and transport) during a given period
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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