# traceroute

CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/traceroute
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Definition

a computer tool that shows the path data takes to get from your computer to another one on the internet. It lists every server or 'stop' along the way so you can see where a connection might be slow.

For teachers: a network diagnostic tool used to track the path of a packet from source to destination, identifying the specific IP addresses of the routers it traverses. It measures the transit delays of packets across an Internet Protocol network.

## Examples

- I ran a traceroute to see why the website was slow.
- The network administrator used a traceroute to identify which specific router in the data center was causing the packet loss.
- By analyzing the traceroute results, the technician determined that the latency issues were originating from a congested peering point between two major internet service providers.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.