tract

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈtrakt

Synonyms of tract next

: a system of body parts or organs that act together to perform some function

the digestive tract

: a bundle of nerve fibers having a common origin, termination, and function

: an area either large or small: such as

: an indefinite stretch of land

: a defined area of land

: extent or lapse of time

tract

2 of 3

noun (2)

: a pamphlet or leaflet of political or religious propaganda

also : a piece of writing that is suggestive of such a tract

tract

3 of 3

noun (3)

often capitalized

: verses of Scripture (as from the Psalms) used between the gradual and the Gospel at some masses (as during penitential seasons)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Centennial Yards’s vast tract, now mostly foreboding parking lots, is adjacent to the Mercedes Benz Stadium, home to Atlanta’s professional football and soccer teams, and the State Farm Arena, where Ressler’s Hawks play. —

Eliza Ronalds-Hannon, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2023 The health of that digestion—as well as other things like mood and immunity—depends heavily on a teeming microflora of both beneficial and harmful bacteria that live in the lining of your GI tract. —

Rachel Reiff Ellis, Fortune Well, 23 Apr. 2023 At the top of that list is anything that causes a buildup of gas in the intestinal tract, which can cause sensations of bloating throughout the stomach and abdomen. —

Markham Heid, Time, 4 Jan. 2023 Bronco applied for the 2,956-acre Walker Flat tract, holding 8.2 million tons. —

Brian Maffly, The Salt Lake Tribune, 30 Dec. 2022 Through research and methodology developed by UC Berkeley, an interactive map published by the New York Times shows average household emissions in every U.S. census tract. —

Ryan Fonsecastaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2022 Bacterial pneumonia may develop when the flu virus spreads to the lower respiratory tract, leading to breathing difficulties that may require supplemental oxygen. —

NBC News, 12 Dec. 2022 Rodriguez wasn’t going for an anthropological tract, though. —

Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2023 These pathogens can cause a range of potentially severe infections in the lungs, urinary tract, ears, blood, open wounds, or even the brain and the spinal cord. —

Caroline Hopkins, NBC News, 29 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tract.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English tracte, from Latin tractus action of drawing, extension, from trahere to pull, draw

Noun (2)

Middle English, treatise, from Medieval Latin tractus, perhaps alteration of Latin tractatus tractate

Noun (3)

Middle English tracte, from Medieval Latin tractus, from Latin, action of drawing, extension; perhaps from its being sung without a break by one voice

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Noun (2)

1760, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of tract was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century