footnote

1 of 2

noun

foot·​note ˈfu̇t-ˌnōt How to pronounce footnote (audio)
1
: a note of reference, explanation, or comment usually placed below the text on a printed page
2
a
: one that is a relatively subordinate or minor part (as of an event, work, or field)
a movement now regarded as a footnote to architectural history

footnote

2 of 2

verb

footnoted; footnoting; footnotes

transitive verb

: to furnish with a footnote : annotate

Examples of footnote in a Sentence

Noun a movement now regarded as a footnote to history
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.
Noun
Smith resigned his position Friday after transmitting his report to Attorney General Merrick Garland, the Justice Department revealed in a footnote in a court filing over the weekend. Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 14 Jan. 2025 But given the Chiefs’ postseason dominance, some of the NFL’s greatest characters have yet to graduate from footnotes in the history books. Jeff Howe, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
Its diametrical opposite might be the epigraph, the upfront citation, not relegated to footnote or endnote and often in italics — a phenomenon no one could fail to observe. Elisa Gabbert, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025 The research of others, although abundantly and generously cited, too often seems to footnote Pinker's own prior assumptions. Timothy Snyder, Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2011 See all Example Sentences for footnote 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1711, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1864, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of footnote was in 1711

Dictionary Entries Near footnote

Cite this Entry

“Footnote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/footnote. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

footnote

noun
foot·​note
-ˌnōt
: a note of reference, explanation, or comment usually placed below the text on a printed page
footnote verb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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