Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Tract Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🌾
Add to dictionary

tract

[trækt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

land

A large stretch of land, typically used for agriculture or development.

Synonyms

area, parcel, plot.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
tract

Used to describe a large area of land, often with a specific purpose or characteristic. This term is often used in real estate or agriculture.

  • The company purchased a vast tract of land for the new industrial park.
  • Farmers are concerned about the tract of forestland being cleared for development.
plot

Typically used to describe a small, defined piece of land, often for the purpose of building a house or for gardening. This word carries a more specific and smaller-scale implication compared to 'tract' or 'area'.

  • They purchased a plot of land to build their dream home.
  • The community garden is divided into individual plots where residents can grow their own vegetables.
parcel

Often refers to a specific, usually smaller, portion of land that is part of a larger tract, which is being sold, bought, or developed. The term can also refer to a package being sent or received.

  • She inherited a small parcel of land from her grandparents.
  • We bought several parcels of land to expand our farm.
area

A general term for any portion or region of space, usually defined or designated for a particular purpose or within certain boundaries. This word is versatile and can be used in many different contexts.

  • They are developing a new residential area in the northern part of the city.
  • Please stay within the designated area during the concert.

Examples of usage

  • The farmer owned a vast tract of land in the countryside.
  • The company purchased a tract of land to build a new office complex.
Context #2 | Noun

medical

A system of organs and tissues that are interconnected and function together for a specific purpose.

Synonyms

channel, pathway, system.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
tract

Often relates to large areas of land or digestive and nervous body systems.

  • The real estate agent is selling a large tract of land near the river.
  • The digestive tract involves several organs that help break down food.
system

Describes a set of interacting components, often used in technical, biological, or organizational contexts.

  • The solar system includes eight planets orbiting the sun.
  • The company's new software system improves efficiency in the workplace.
channel

Used for physical or communication pathways, especially in water or media.

  • The river carved a deep channel through the valley.
  • They launched a new television channel focused on science fiction.
pathway

Refers to physical paths or routes, often used metaphorically to describe steps or stages in processes.

  • The garden has a beautiful stone pathway leading to the fountain.
  • Education can provide a pathway to a better future.

Examples of usage

  • The digestive tract is responsible for processing food and absorbing nutrients.
  • The respiratory tract includes the lungs and airways.
Context #3 | Verb

communication

To speak or write about a particular topic in a detailed and elaborate manner.

Synonyms

describe, elaborate, expound.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
tract

Used in a biological, medical, or geographical context to refer to a large area of land or an anatomical structure. This word isn't used frequently in everyday conversation.

  • The Amazon rainforest is an enormous tract of land in South America.
  • The digestive tract is a crucial part of the body.
elaborate

Used when adding more details or information to something that has been said, often to clarify or expand on a point. Adds depth to the explanation.

  • Please elaborate on your plan for the project.
  • He elaborated his argument during the meeting.
describe

Used when providing a detailed account or representation of something, often in everyday situations or storytelling.

  • Can you describe the person you saw?
  • She tried to describe the beauty of the sunset.
expound

Used in more formal or academic contexts to give a detailed and comprehensive explanation of a subject or theory.

  • The professor expounded on the principles of quantum mechanics.
  • She expounded her views on the current political situation.

Examples of usage

  • She would often tract her experiences in a journal.
  • The professor tracted the history of the region in his lecture.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Religion

  • In religious contexts, tracts are often small booklets designed to share messages or teachings.
  • During the 19th century, tracts became popular among various movements, particularly in spreading Christian teachings.

Geography

  • In environmental discussions, a tract can refer to large areas of wilderness that are important for conservation.
  • Some regions are managed as tracts of land to protect wildlife and preserve natural habitats.

Government and Law

  • Land tracts are often measured in acres or hectares, and ownership can be a subject of legal disputes.
  • Governments might designate certain tracts for development, agriculture, or conservation, impacting local communities.

Science

  • In biology, the term can refer to a continuous area or series of pathways, such as a neural tract in the brain.
  • Studies might analyze tracts of forest or wetlands to understand ecological systems and biodiversity.

Origin of 'tract'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'tractus', meaning 'to pull or draw', relating to how land can be drawn out or extended.
  • It has been used in the English language since the 14th century, originally referring to a stretch of land.

The word 'tract' has its origins in Latin 'tractus', which means 'a drawing out' or 'a stretch'. It entered the English language in the late 15th century with the meaning of 'a stretch of land'. Over time, the word has evolved to encompass various contexts, including medical and communication. Today, 'tract' is commonly used to refer to a large expanse of land or a system of interconnected organs and tissues.

See also: detract, intractable, protract, protracted, protraction, protractor, retract, subtract, subtraction, tractability, tractable, traction, tractor.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,317, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.