tracing

noun

trac·​ing ˈtrā-siŋ 

1

: something that is traced: such as

a

: a copy made on a superimposed transparent sheet

b

: a graphic record made by an instrument (such as a seismograph) that registers some movement

2

: the act of one that traces

Synonyms of tracing

• pursuit
• tracking

Examples of tracing in a Sentence

the tracing of this mountain lion is going to be difficult if the rain washes away all of the tracks

Recent Examples on the Web

Kojan said there is currently a lack of laboratory testing capacity in the region, which is needed for accurate diagnosis and effective contact tracing. —Tom Soufi Burridge, ABC News, 28 May 2026

Bausch says control measures include very good infection control and something called contact tracing — tracking down people who've interacted with someone who's been infected. —Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 20 May 2026

An outbreak that spreads invisibly is far harder to contain because contact tracing is always one step behind. —Klinger Soares Faico Filho, The Conversation, 18 May 2026

As a results, the outbreak response depends entirely on contact tracing, infection control, Ebola treatment units and safe burial protocols, the same tools that were available during the 2014 West Africa crisis. —John Drake, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tracing

• contact tracing
• ray tracing
• tracing paper
• tracing wheel

Rhymes for tracing

• basing
• bracing
• casing
• chasing
• facing
• gracing
• lacing
• lasing
• pacing
• placing
• racing
• spacing

Kids Definition

tracing

noun

trac·​ing

ˈtrā-siŋ

1

: the act of one that traces

2

: something that is traced

Medical Definition

tracing

noun

trac·​ing ˈtrā-siŋ 

: a graphic record made by an instrument (as an electrocardiograph) that registers some movement