etching

American  

[ech-ing] / ˈɛtʃ ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or process of making designs or pictures on a metal plate, glass, etc., by the corrosive action of an acid instead of by a burin.

2. an impression, as on paper, taken from an etched plate.

3. the design so produced.

4. a metal plate bearing such a design.

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etching British  

/ ˈɛtʃɪŋ /

noun

1. the art, act, or process of preparing etched surfaces or of printing designs from them

2. an etched plate

3. an impression made from an etched plate

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etching Cultural  

1. An artistic print made from a plate on which the artist has etched a design with acid. (Compare engraving.)

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Etymology

Origin of etching

First recorded in 1625–35; etch + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

The venture would also presumably need equipment for etching and deposition, which are manufacturing and packaging processes.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026

The problem with etching patterns with atomically precise beams of light is that the material you shine it on also has to be atomically precise, or the pattern comes out blurry.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

Their approach focuses on modifying the inside surface of aluminum tubes by etching it to create microscopic and nanoscale pits.

From Science Daily • Jan. 30, 2026

A day later, crews could be seen etching the president's name on the building's façade.

From BBC • Dec. 27, 2025

I’m not filming, but I’m etching this into my mind forever.

From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed

Related Words

• engraving
• inscription
• reproduction