# tracing

/ˈtɹeɪsɪŋ/ (US) · /tɹˈeɪsɪŋ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. copying a drawing

noun · CEFR B2

a copy of a drawing made by drawing over the lines on a piece of thin, clear paper.

For teachers: a reproduction of an image created by following its outlines through translucent paper.

- The architect made a tracing of the original floor plan to show the new changes.
- The student produced a precise tracing of the anatomical diagram, ensuring every delicate nerve ending was captured on the overlay.

### 2. finding or tracking

noun · CEFR B2

the act of finding where something came from or where it went by following clues.

For teachers: the process of identifying the origin, location, or history of something through systematic investigation.

- The tracing of the stolen money led the police to a small bank in another country.
- The tracing of the virus's spread required an exhaustive analysis of international travel records and local contact patterns.

### 3. a machine graph

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a line or graph drawn by a machine that measures something, like a heartbeat or an earthquake.

For teachers: a graphical record produced by a self-registering instrument such as a seismograph or electrocardiograph.

- The doctor looked at the tracing from the heart monitor to check for problems.
- The seismologist examined the erratic tracing on the drum, noting that the primary waves indicated a significant tectonic shift nearby.

## Examples

- She made a tracing of the map for her project.
- The architect used a tracing of the original floor plan to suggest modern modifications to the building.
- Digital contact tracing became a vital tool for public health officials attempting to map the spread of the virus through the community in real time.

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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.