footage
Americannoun
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length or extent in feet.
the footage of lumber.
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a portion of raw video recorded for subsequent editing and use in one or more video clips or packages, broadcasts, or movies: raw footage that ended up on the cutting room floor.
newsreel footage;
raw footage that ended up on the cutting room floor.
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Mining.
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payment by the running foot of work done.
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the amount so paid.
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noun
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a length or distance measured in feet
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the extent of film material shot and exposed
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the sequences of filmed material
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payment, by the linear foot of work done
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the amount paid
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Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of footage
Explanation
Footage is a section of film or video that's been shot or recorded. A TV news station might play dramatic footage of a tornado's aftermath. A film clip or a scene from a movie in production are both footage. Part of a film editor's job is combining all the best footage into a longer piece. Another kind of footage is a way to measure space — when you're selling a house, you'll need to advertise its size, or square footage. The film meaning dates from 1916, from foot as a unit of measurement, in this case of a length of film.
Vocabulary lists containing footage
Lessons 2–3
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Lessons 4–5
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Lessons 1–2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He confirmed one officer in the footage had since left the force for an unrelated reason, while three others were no longer on front-line duties.
From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026
And the archival footage from “The Verdict” shows the extent to which fandom and media frenzy influenced the proceedings.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026
This year, however, an empty chair bearing his portrait stood at the mausoleum, according to footage broadcast from the site.
From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026
Due in large part to the release of video footage showing McGlockton starting to back away, Drejka was eventually charged with manslaughter.
From Slate • Jun. 4, 2026
On the screen is a video—YouTube—and it’s a mash-up of some cop show’s credits and my school picture and footage from the fire.
From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
