Definition

Noun 1. A length or amount measured in feet: This meaning refers to a measurement of length, particularly in contexts like surveying, construction, or fabric, where something is priced or quantified by the linear foot. 2. A sequence of film or video that has been recorded: This is the most common modern meaning. It refers to recorded moving images, whether raw, edited, or archival, used in films, news reports, documentaries, or other media.

Usage and Examples

• As a measurement:
  • The contractor provided an estimate based on the footage of pipe needed for the project.
  • The price of the carpet is determined by the square footage of the room.
• As recorded film/video:
  • The documentary includes incredible footage of the volcanic eruption.
  • The news station aired footage from the security camera.
  • The director reviewed all the footage shot during the day.

Advanced Usage

• Stock footage: Pre-recorded video clips of common scenes, events, or subjects that can be licensed for use in films, TV shows, or other productions to avoid the cost of filming them anew.
  • The production used stock footage of New York City skyline for the establishing shot.
• Raw footage: The original, unedited video material as it was recorded by the camera.
  • The editor spent weeks sifting through hours of raw footage.
• Archival footage: Historical film or video material kept in archives, often used in documentaries.
  • The film was enriched with archival footage from the 1960s.

Variants and Related Words

• Square footage (n): A measurement of area, expressed in square feet (ft²), commonly used for rooms, houses, or land.
  • The apartment's square footage is 850 ft².
• Foot (n): The unit of linear measurement (plural: feet). This is the base unit from which "footage" is derived for its measurement sense.

Synonyms

• For recorded material: film, video, recording, clip, tape.
• For measurement: length (in feet), linear measurement.

Notes on Different Meanings

The two primary meanings are distinct but share an etymological root in the unit of measurement "foot." The cinematic meaning originated from the fact that film was physically measured and sold by the foot. In contemporary usage, the "recorded video" meaning is overwhelmingly more common, especially in general and media contexts. The "measurement" meaning is now mostly confined to specific technical or commercial fields (construction, real estate with "square footage") and is often part of a compound phrase.

Noun

1. a rate of charging by the linear foot of work done
2. film that has been shot
   • they had stock footage of lightning, tornados, and hurricanes
   • he edited the news footage