tracing

noun

trac·​ing ˈtrā-siŋ 

1

: something that is traced: such as

a

: a copy made on a superimposed transparent sheet

b

: a graphic record made by an instrument (such as a seismograph) that registers some movement

2

: the act of one that traces

Synonyms

• chase
• chasing
• dogging
• following
• hounding
• pursuing
• pursuit
• shadowing
• tagging
• tailing
• tracking
• trailing

Examples of tracing in a Sentence

the tracing of this mountain lion is going to be difficult if the rain washes away all of the tracks

Recent Examples on the Web

But the kind of genetic tracing that the CDC's lab performs is not conducted by any other lab in the United States or the world, experts interviewed by NPR said. —Chiara Eisner, NPR, 16 Apr. 2025

All 2025 4Runner models feature Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 with forward collision warning, lane departure alert and keeping, full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane tracing, road sign assist and auto high beams. —Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025

This typically includes: Electrocardiogram (ECG): an electrical tracing of the heart which may show dangerous heart rhythms or inherited electrical conditions like Long QT Syndrome, Brugada Syndrome or Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome. —Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025

In this two-dimensional tracing of the data [above], the surface of the ice and shape of the bedrock are clearly visible. —IEEE Spectrum, 5 Aug. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tracing

• contact tracing
• ray tracing
• tracing paper
• tracing wheel

Rhymes for tracing

• basing
• bracing
• casing
• chasing
• facing
• gracing
• lacing
• pacing
• placing
• racing
• spacing
• debasing

Kids Definition

tracing

noun

trac·​ing

ˈtrā-siŋ

1

: the act of one that traces

2

: something that is traced

Medical Definition

tracing

noun

trac·​ing ˈtrā-siŋ 

: a graphic record made by an instrument (as an electrocardiograph) that registers some movement