terracing

American  

[ter-uh-sing] / ˈtɛr ə sɪŋ /

noun

1. something formed as a terrace.

2. a system of terraces.

3. the act or process of making terraces.

---

terracing British  

/ ˈtɛrəsɪŋ /

noun

1. a series of terraces, esp one dividing a slope into a steplike system of flat narrow fields

2. the act of making a terrace or terraces

3. another name for terrace

---

Etymology

Origin of terracing

First recorded in 1780–90; terrace + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

A different report discussed terracing the river upstream from that spot — changing the sloped shape of the sides into steps, “and in those steps, you might insert areas for landscaping to grow,” Weintraub said.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2024

If you look through the history books, it is 30 years since Norwich won at Anfield - in the last game played in front of the Kop when it was still terracing.

From BBC • Jan. 25, 2024

A unique feature of their farming was a method of terracing the hillsides on the southern slopes of the large sandstone plateau to prevent soil erosion.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

The upper-tier will become outdoor terracing for new homes.

From Washington Times • Nov. 5, 2022

Given Cahokia’s engineering expertise, though, solutions were within reach: terracing hillsides, diking rivers, even moving Cahokia.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann