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

The tracing of those two key relationships provides the heart of the documentary — especially the apparently countless appearances, both talk shows and filmed public events, at which Brooks either discussed those relationships or Reiner and Bancroft joined him. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 21 Jan. 2026

Trying to track and contain a highly contagious virus—which requires interventions such as testing and rapid contact tracing—will tax public-health departments, too. —Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025

Part of Save the Children’s work is family tracing, which means trying to find out whether a relative is already in the camp or has arrived from a different route to a nearby area. —Rebecca Schneid, Time, 26 Nov. 2025

Landers and his team added nanoparticles of the element tantalum to allow for X-ray tracing. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2025

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