1. The sound or impact made by a foot or feet striking the ground when walking or running.
Usage: Usually plural; can be singular in poetic or literary contexts.
2. The mark or impression left by a foot on a surface.
Usage: Less common than sense 1; often used in tracking or forensic contexts.

Examples

• She heard footfalls in the hallway outside her room.
• The runner's footfalls echoed through the empty stadium.
• His heavy footfalls on the wooden floor announced his arrival.
• The detective followed the footfalls in the snow to the cabin.
• Light footfalls could be heard approaching from down the corridor.
• The rhythmic footfalls of the marching band grew louder.