etching

noun

etch·​ing ˈe-chiŋ 

1

a

: the action or process of etching

b

: the art of producing pictures or designs by printing from an etched metal plate

2

a

: an etched design

b

: an impression from an etched plate

Examples of etching in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The pieces have tonal text blocks, laser-etchings, as well as streamlined collars to emphasize design simplicity and purpose. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 9 Oct. 2025

The best-known is folk icon La Calavera Catrina, a zinc etching of a smiling skeleton wearing an oversize hat topped with features and flowers, created by José Guadalupe Posada in the early 1900s. —Sarah Buder, AFAR Media, 8 Oct. 2025

And the camel etchings give clues to the circumstances of the encounters. —Martin J. Kernan, Scientific American, 30 Sep. 2025

According to Stein, the acid can eat away at the stone’s finish and cause dull spots or etching. —Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing etching

• freeze-etching

Rhymes for etching

• fetching
• retching
• sketching
• stretching

Kids Definition

etching

noun

etch·​ing ˈech-iŋ 

1

a

: the act or process of etching a hard material

b

: the art of printing from an etched metal plate

2

a

: a product of etching

b

: a print made from an etched metal plate