plural traces
1
: a very small amount of something
He could detect a trace [=hint] of cinnamon in the cookies.
She spoke without a trace of irony.
—sometimes used before another nounTrace amounts of the pesticide were found in many foods.
2
: something (such as a mark or an object) which shows that someone or something was in a particular place
The scientists found traces of human activity in the area.
The thieves left no trace of evidence behind.
He disappeared/vanished without a trace. [=without leaving any signs to show where he went]
3
technical
: a line drawn by a machine to record how something (such as a heartbeat or an earthquake) changes or happens over time
traces; traced; tracing
1
a
: to draw the outline of (something)
The children traced their hands onto the sidewalk with chalk.
especially
: to copy (a design or picture) by putting a thin piece of paper that you can see through over it and drawing on top of it
You can put a piece of paper over the pattern and trace it.
b
: to draw (something, such as letters or a picture) especially in a careful way
She traced the letters of her name.
I traced a circle in the air/sand (with my finger).
—often + outShe traced the letters out on a sheet of paper.
2
: to follow the path or line of (something)
We will need to trace the electrical wires through the walls.
She traced the edge of the book with her finger. [=she moved her finger along the edge of the book]
3
: to follow (something) back to its cause, beginning, or origin : to find out where something came from
—usually + to
The noise was traced to a loose bolt in the car's engine.
The police traced the call to a payphone.
—often + backHe can trace his family history all the way back to the Pilgrims.
The word "amiable" can be traced back to the Latin word for "friend."
The word "amiable" traces back to the Latin word for "friend."
a tradition that traces back to [=goes back to] the time of the ancient Romans
4
: to describe or study the way (something) happened over time
Her book traces the development of art through the ages.
5
: to try to find (someone or something) by collecting and studying evidence
The detective is in charge of tracing [=(more commonly) tracking down] missing persons.
Cite this Entry
“Trace.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/trace. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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