1
a
: a system of body parts or organs that act together to perform some function
the digestive tract
b
: a bundle of nerve fibers having a common origin, termination, and function
2
: an area either large or small: such as
a
: an indefinite stretch of land
b
: a defined area of land
3
: extent or lapse of time
: a pamphlet or leaflet of political or religious propaganda
also
: a piece of writing that is suggestive of such a tract
variants
often Tract
: verses of Scripture (as from the Psalms) used between the gradual and the Gospel at some masses (as during penitential seasons)
Examples of tract in a Sentence
Noun (1)
a vast and fertile tract of farmland
the town had planned on turning that tract of meadow into a park
had a number of small tracts for sale, but we couldn't afford to buy land and then build a house
Recent Examples on the Web
Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
That bacteria lives naturally in the gastrointestinal and reproductive tracts of chickens, said Kimberly Baker, associate extension specialist at Clemson University.
—ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
The tract, which is in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, will be part of the Clearion development.
—Tanya Babbar, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
According to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, as many as two thirds to three quarters of people with Crohn’s disease will at some point need surgery, which typically includes removing parts of the GI tract.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tract
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Noun
Some receiving payments also have claimed erectile dysfunction, toenail fungus, urinary tract infections and acid reflux in their medical evaluations.
—Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
That bacteria lives naturally in the gastrointestinal and reproductive tracts of chickens, said Kimberly Baker, associate extension specialist at Clemson University.
—ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
The tract, which is in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, will be part of the Clearion development.
—Tanya Babbar, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
According to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, as many as two thirds to three quarters of people with Crohn’s disease will at some point need surgery, which typically includes removing parts of the GI tract.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tract
Cite this Entry
“Tract.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tract. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tract
1 of 2 noun1
a
: an indefinite stretch of land
a large tract of forest
b
: a defined area of land
a garden tract
2
: a system of body parts or organs that act together to perform some function
the digestive tract
tract
2 of 2 noun
: a pamphlet of political or religious ideas and beliefs
Medical Definition
tract
noun1
: a system of body parts or organs that act together to perform some function see also digestive tract, gastrointestinal tract, lower respiratory tract, upper respiratory tract
2
: a bundle of nerve fibers having a common origin, termination, and function and especially one within the spinal cord or brain
called also fiber tract
see also corticospinal tract, olfactory tract, optic tract, spinothalamic tractLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
