etch

verb

\ ˈech

etched; etching; etches

Definition of etch

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : to produce (something, such as a pattern or design) on a hard material by eating into the material's surface (as by acid or laser beam)

b : to subject to such etching

2 : to delineate or impress clearly scenes etched in our minds pain was etched on his features

intransitive verb

: to practice etching

etch

noun

Definition of etch (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : the action or effect of etching a surface

2 : a chemical agent used in etching

Other Words from etch Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about etch

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Synonyms for etch

Synonyms: Verb

engrave, grave, incise, inscribe, insculp [archaic]

Examples of etch in a Sentence

Verb

etched an identification number on the back of the television glass that has been etched with an identification number

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Scorer of the winning goal in the 1950 World Cup, Alcides Ghiggia's name is etched into footballing history as the player responsible for completing one of the sports most unlikely comebacks. — SI.com, "World Cup Countdown: 17 Weeks to Go - Alcides Ghiggia, the Man Who Silenced the Maracanã," 24 Feb. 2018 His name etched into the silver claret jug should help with that. — Doug Ferguson, Fox News, "Molinari not flashy except the players he beats," 23 July 2018 But there’s absolutely nothing funny about stripping a woman of her capacity to consent.’’ Cosby stared right back, unblinking, a smile etched on his face. — Washington Post, BostonGlobe.com, "After a volcanic day of closing arguments, Bill Cosby’s retrial is in the hands of the jury," 24 Apr. 2018 Scoop after scoop of deep brown earth dug carefully with a trowel and then gently poured into gallon-size glass jars etched with a name — John Henry James — and a date — July 12, 1898. — Joe Heim, Washington Post, "Sacred ground, now reclaimed: A Charlottesville story," 7 July 2018 Even with a long way to go, Belgium will feel there is a real opportunity to etch their names into the history books. — SI.com, "'It's Good for Us': Eden Hazard Eyes World Cup Glory Following Portugal, Spain & Argentina Exits," 2 July 2018 The Onondaga people have a history etched with stories of perilous trials and resilience, from confronting settlers and missionaries centuries ago to more recently quarreling with local school officials. — New York Times, "A Story of Survival Revived by the Cicadas’ Loud (and Crunchy) Return," 22 June 2018 The Holocaust Memorial consists of six 54-foot-tall glass towers, each containing 22 glass panels etched with 17,280 numbers that echo the tattoos that Nazis gave to death camp inmates, according to the monument’s website. — Jeremy C. Fox, BostonGlobe.com, "New England Holocaust Memorial rededicated in event recalling last summer’s vandalism," 10 June 2018 The memorial also includes a mural wall by designer Louis Nelson, consisting of black granite etched with faces of military support personnel, nurses, truck drivers, medics and chaplains. — Bart Barnes, chicagotribune.com, "Frank Gaylord, who sculpted Korean War Veterans Memorial, dies at 93," 30 Mar. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

From the clearing where we’d laid out our tents and camp pads, the opposite bank of the river was barely perceptible except for a faint Etch-a-Sketch panorama of sandstone buttes and towers. — Jim Buchta, chicagotribune.com, "Call of the Colorado River leads to a family pilgrimage," 11 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'etch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.