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.

---

verb (used with or without object)

terraced, terracing

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

---

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• terraceless adjective
• unterraced adjective

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

The living room has a dry bar and pocket doors to the side terrace.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 20, 2026

For the Page Museum, that means a new and improved northwest entrance, expanded visible research labs and collections displays, an immersive theater and a rooftop terrace overlooking Hancock Park.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

The property, which was built in 1989 and spans 10,200 square feet, comes complete with an array of luxury amenities, including a game room, a full gym, sports court, and an outdoor entertaining terrace.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 20, 2026

In the middle of the two-story space, May’s petite cafe sits tucked beneath the concrete staircase that leads to a terrace, the ideal place for cooling off mid shopping spree.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

As long as Miss Lilian stayed in the parlor, she had no way to watch the terrace.

From "The Old Willis Place" by Mary Downing Hahn

Related Words

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