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

Until now, most MXenes have been produced using chemical etching, a process that leaves a mix of surface atoms such as oxygen, fluorine, or chlorine scattered randomly across the material.

From Science Daily • Apr. 4, 2026

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

From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026

The final frontier of silicon etching aims to cut that down to about 5 nanometers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

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

From BBC • Dec. 27, 2025

The theory held that Emeline had stepped in the acid, then placed her feet against the door, thus literally etching the print into the enamel.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Related Words

• engraving
• inscription
• reproduction