1
2
: one who traces designs, patterns, or markings
3
: a device (such as a stylus) used in tracing
4
a
: ammunition containing a chemical composition to mark the flight of projectiles by a trail of smoke or light
b
: a substance used to trace the course of a chemical or biological process
especially
: label sense 1d
Examples of tracer in a Sentence
The enemy fired tracers at the aircraft carrier.
They injected her with a radioactive tracer and tracked it via X-rays.
Recent Examples on the Web
By connecting diverse people through online platforms, the networks often fill gaps in the public safety net and identify requirements that government health workers and contact tracers miss.
—
Jonathan Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 1 Dec. 2020
The researchers then used PET scans to study their brains, including a tracer that binds to estrogen receptors.
—Jennifer Chesak, Verywell Health, 17 July 2024
This new study showed that PET imaging, using a special tracer called 18F-fluoroestradiol (FES), can do just that.
—Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 25 June 2024
For the study, published in Scientific Reports, researchers scanned the brains of 54 healthy women aged 40-65 using PET imaging with a tracer that binds specifically to estrogen receptors.
—Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for tracer 
Jonathan Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 1 Dec. 2020
The researchers then used PET scans to study their brains, including a tracer that binds to estrogen receptors.
—Jennifer Chesak, Verywell Health, 17 July 2024
This new study showed that PET imaging, using a special tracer called 18F-fluoroestradiol (FES), can do just that.
—Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 25 June 2024
For the study, published in Scientific Reports, researchers scanned the brains of 54 healthy women aged 40-65 using PET imaging with a tracer that binds specifically to estrogen receptors.
—Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for tracer
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tracer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near tracer
Cite this Entry
“Tracer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tracer. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tracer
noun
trac·er
ˈtrā-sər 
1
a
: a person who traces missing persons or property
b
: an inquiry sent out in tracing a shipment lost in transit
2
a
: ammunition containing a chemical composition to mark the flight of projectiles by a trail of smoke or fire
b
: a substance and especially a labeled element or atom used to trace the course of a chemical or biological process
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share