footpad

1 of 2

noun (1)

foot·​pad ˈfu̇t-ˌpad How to pronounce footpad (audio)
Synonyms of footpadnext
: a criminal who robs pedestrians

footpad

2 of 2

noun (2)

: a flattish foot on the leg of a spacecraft for distributing weight to minimize sinking into a surface

Examples of footpad in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Finally, lean the tool towards the side of the footpad. — Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026 The sturdy table has anti-slip footpads to keep it firmly in place. — Melody Kazel, People.com, 25 Aug. 2025 Adjustable footpads help remove any wobbliness on uneven surfaces. — Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Apr. 2026 Only then will Artemis IV get the chance to press its footpads into the lunar soil, in 2028. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 28 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for footpad

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

foot + pad highwayman, probably from pad entry 1

Noun (2)

foot + pad entry 3

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1670, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of footpad was in 1670

Rhymes for footpad

See All Rhymes for footpad

Browse Nearby Words

footpace
footpad
foot page
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Footpad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/footpad. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

footpad

noun
foot·​pad
-ˌpad
: a somewhat flat foot on the leg of a spacecraft for distributing weight to decrease sinking into a surface (as on the moon)

More from Merriam-Webster on footpad

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