an extended area of land
"The farmer planned to plant corn across the entire fertile tract of land near the river."
a system of body parts that together serve some particular purpose
"The digestive tract processes food as it moves through the stomach and intestines."
a bundle of myelinated nerve fibers following a path through the brain
"The somatic motor tract carries signals from the spinal cord to the muscles, coordinating voluntary movement throughout the body."
An area or expanse.
"The cattle were grazing across the vast, green tract of rolling hills."
To pursue, follow; to track.
"The hunter moved silently through the woods until he could no longer tract the elusive deer's footprints in the snow."
In plain English: To tract something means to pull it along by using force, usually with your hands.
"The new government plans to tract out all necessary equipment for the school renovation before summer begins."
The word "tract" comes from the Latin tractus, meaning "a haul" or "drawing out." It entered English through Old and Middle English, where it originally referred to a treatise or commentary before also taking on the meaning of an expanse of space or time.