terrace

American  

[ter-uhs] / ˈtɛr əs /

noun

1. a raised level with a vertical or sloping front or sides faced with masonry, turf, or the like, especially one of a series of levels rising one above another.

2. the top of such a construction, used as a platform, garden, road, etc.

3. a nearly level strip of land with a more or less abrupt descent along the margin of the sea, a lake, or a river.

4. the flat roof of a house.

5. an open, often paved area connected to a house or an apartment house and serving as an outdoor living area; deck.

6. an open platform, as projecting from the outside wall of an apartment; a large balcony.

7. a row of houses on or near the top of a slope.

8. a residential street following the top of a slope.

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verb (used with or without object)

terraces, present (3rd person singular) terraced, past participle, past terracing present participle

1. to form into or furnish with a terrace or terraces.

terrace British  

/ ˈtɛrəs /

noun

1. a horizontal flat area of ground, often one of a series in a slope

2. 1. a row of houses, usually identical and having common dividing walls, or the street onto which they face

   2. ( cap when part of a street name )

      Grosvenor Terrace

3. a paved area alongside a building, serving partly as a garden

4. a balcony or patio

5. the flat roof of a house built in a Spanish or Oriental style

6. a flat area bounded by a short steep slope formed by the down-cutting of a river or by erosion

7. (usually plural)

   1. unroofed tiers around a football pitch on which the spectators stand

   2. the spectators themselves

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verb

1. (tr) to make into or provide with a terrace or terraces

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unterraced
  adjective
• terraceless
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have terraced
  perfect
• has terraced
  perfect 3rd person singular
• am terracing
  progressive 1st person singular
• are terracing
  progressive
• have been terracing
  perfect progressive
• is terracing
  progressive 3rd person singular
• has been terracing
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• terraces
  singular 3rd person
• terracing
  participle

Past

• had terraced
  perfect
• were terracing
  progressive plural
• was terracing
  progressive singular
• had been terracing
  perfect progressive
• terraced
  participle
• terraced
  simple

Future

• will terrace
  simple
• will have terraced
  perfect
• will be terracing
  progressive
• will have been terracing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of terrace

1505–15; earlier terrasse < Middle French < Old Provençal terrassa < Vulgar Latin *terrācea, feminine of *terrāceus. See terra, -aceous

Explanation

A terrace is a paved or brick outdoor area right next to a house or apartment. You might have a nice dinner out on your terrace, enjoying the sunset. Terrace and patio are synonyms. Another meaning for terrace is "a block of row houses that are connected by shared walls and are built in a similar style." Terrace also refers to flat areas on a hillside where people farm or have built houses. That land has been terraced, meaning "made into shelves."

Example Sentences

It was not the only Britpop anthem to get a Salah-inspired re-write that season, with London band Dodgy's Good Enough providing the tune for a terrace chant the player calls "something special".

From BBC • May 22, 2026

The La Calatrava property has been renovated as a three-bedroom penthouse with a rooftop terrace, a wine cellar and an indoor parking space.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

He had left The Times’ table minutes earlier, moving past the TV cameras and up toward the raised terrace near the ballroom’s security entrance.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2026

“Enjoy stunning, unobstructed water views from your private terrace, creating the perfect backdrop for relaxation or entertaining.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

But his mother held him up to the terrace windows as the dark sky exploded into bright lights above him.

From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Related Words

• balcony
• deck
• gallery
• patio
• platform
• porch
• promenade
• roof