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

By reducing the need for time-consuming manual point-cloud tracing and data cross-referencing, the new feature helps design teams move more efficiently from raw site capture to CAD-ready drafts and architectural modeling, shortening project turnaround time and reducing manual drafting costs. —New Atlas, 8 June 2026

Dunn and Price were doing contact tracing and quarantine checks, in addition to keeping the clinic open. —Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026

One of the most important ways to get an outbreak under control is contact tracing, which can help break chains of transmission by identifying people who might have been exposed. —Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 6 June 2026

Contact tracing, quarantine, and rapid isolation control spread. —Tom Frieden, STAT, 6 June 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