noun

terrace

/ˈterəs/ · say it: TER·uhs

a flat outdoor platform attached to a building

In Architecture & Design

In more detail

1. (noun) a raised flat area or platform attached to a building, usually outdoors

2. (noun) a row of houses joined together in a line

3. (noun) a flat area cut into a hillside, used for growing crops or as a level surface

Examples

1. We sat on the terrace with a view of the garden.
2. They live in a terrace on the corner of the street.
3. The farmers built terraces on the steep mountainside to plant rice.

How to use terrace

Terrace refers to a flat raised area or surface, either attached to a building for outdoor use, or part of architectural and agricultural structures. In British English, it commonly describes a row of joined houses; in American English, patio is more common for the outdoor space. The word appears in both everyday domestic contexts and formal architectural or agricultural discussions.

Common phrases

garden terrace
sun terrace
terrace house
terrace farming
terrace level

Synonyms

patio · deck · balcony · veranda · platform

Word family

terraced (adjective)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse terrace with patio; while similar, terrace is broader and includes the architectural housing sense, whereas patio specifically refers to an outdoor paved area.

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