tracery

noun

trac·ery ˈtrā-sə-rē

ˈtrās-rē

plural traceries

: architectural ornamental work with branching lines

especially : decorative openwork in a Gothic window

: a decorative interlacing of lines suggestive of Gothic tracery

traceried

ˈtrā-sə-rēd

ˈtrās-rēd

adjective

Examples of tracery in a Sentence

This window is an example of Gothic tracery. the delicate tracery of a butterfly's wing

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

But viewed in time-lapse there is a larger pattern in the lights, their tracery. — Ben Lerner, Harper's Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023 At the apex, the columns weave into a delicate tracery of metal and glass. — Adam Williams april 21, New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2026 The spots begin to move, and slip-sliding traceries of luminosity explode. — Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2023 While nearly all the rooms are impressive, the study is definitely a showstopper with its fancy plaster tracery ceiling. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2023 See All Example Sentences for tracery

Word History

First Known Use

1669, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of tracery was in 1669

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

traceried

tracery

trache-

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Tracery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tracery. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tracery

noun

trac·ery ˈtrās-(ə-)rē

plural traceries

: ornamental work with many branching lines

tracery

noun

Illustration of tracery

Examples of tracery in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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