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 floor piece is almost like making a rubbing or an etching of that part of the footprint of the museum. —Caitlin Woolsey, Artforum, 1 June 2025

Laser etching throughout the structure allows radar signals to pass through without compromising its heat-hiding abilities, according to SCMP. —Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025

Christy, meanwhile, was being covertly investigated in 2007 over the theft of several artworks, including a 17th-century etching by Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn. —Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 27 Apr. 2025

For something more creamy, you’re best suited to turn to RMS’s nourishing matte formula, or keep it simple with an etching of a Glossier eyeliner pencil. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 13 May 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