tracing

American  

[trey-sing] / ˈtreɪ sɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that traces.

2. something that is produced by tracing.

3. a copy of a drawing, map, plan, etc., made by tracing on a transparent sheet placed over the original.

4. the record made by a self-registering instrument.

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tracing British  

/ ˈtreɪsɪŋ /

noun

1. a copy made by tracing

2. the act of making a trace

3. a record made by an instrument

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Etymology

Origin of tracing

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at trace ¹, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

However, one of the biggest concerns remains contact tracing.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

Contact tracing is lagging as the disease spreads in areas affected by armed conflict, displacement and poverty.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

By identifying where water enters the system and tracing how it moves, researchers can help managers pinpoint contamination sources and reduce the risk of future disruptions.

From Science Daily • Jun. 2, 2026

I pointed out that in the Connecticut case, investigators had been able to uncover the trafficking ring after tracing the gun to his shop.

From Salon • Jun. 2, 2026

Ella loved tracing her fingers over it when Gran let her oil her scalp, surprised at how it constantly changed—a new bud here, a new flower there as her grandmother used her skills.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

• architecture
• arrangement
• composition
• construction
• drawing
• form
• idea
• layout
• map
• method
• model
• pattern
• picture
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