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

Other response efforts have scaled up significantly since the start of the outbreak, officials said, but contact tracing continues to lag. — Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 24 June 2026

Xinhua via Getty Images Contact tracing remains a key issue for local authorities, who have only achieved a 55% coverage rate, the ministry said. — CBS News, 22 June 2026

Contact tracing remains a key issue for local authorities, who have only achieved a 55% coverage rate, the ministry said. — Constant Same Bagalwa, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026

Contact tracing remains a concern, officials said. — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 22 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