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

At the same time, Barton’s book The Birth of Intertexuality (2019) is precisely a kind of tracing of the concept through the texts and thinking of different authors—which includes sections on Nietzsche’s influence on Barthes and Foucault. —Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026

Contact tracing and the daily testing of ocean water quality could slow down. —Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026

Contact tracing is underway and parents or guardians will be informed if the sick individual is a close contact to their child. —David Matthews, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026

In the two current cases in India, contact tracing revealed almost 200 people who had been in contact with the infected people and none has had the virus. —Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 31 Jan. 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
• pacing
• placing
• racing
• spacing
• debasing

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