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 etchings reveal plenty of traces of European pilgrims, too, including the autograph, dating back to the 1400s, of a German pilgrim named Johannes Poloner, who later wrote a detailed account of his journey to Jerusalem. —Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025

The etchings reflect the 13-month lunar calendars the tribes used, with a different design on each of the 13 scales on a snapping turtle’s back. —Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025

That irreplaceable work of art was one of several pieces that were stolen from the Dutch Room — four paintings and one etching were removed from their frames in the Dutch Room. —Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 2025

Her 60-pound etching press made the trip across the Southwest with her and her new husband. —Chadd Scott, Forbes, 15 Mar. 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