Terrace

A terrace is a level area of ground or a flat, outdoor space that is attached to or forms part of a building. The word derives from the French terrasse and Italian terrazza, from Latin terra meaning ground or earth. In landscape and garden design, terraces can also refer to a series of stepped platforms cut into a slope to create usable land.

Agricultural terraces are built into hillsides to create flat fields suitable for cultivation. They reduce soil erosion by breaking the slope into smaller, more manageable sections and improve water management by slowing runoff and guiding irrigation. Terrace farming has been used for centuries in many regions, including rice terraces in Asia and stepped fields in the Andes. Notable examples include the Banaue Rice Terraces in the Philippines and the Longji (Dragon's Backbone) Terraces in China.

In geology and geography, river terraces are remnants of former floodplains preserved above the current river level after erosion and valley incision. They provide evidence of landscape evolution and can host soils fertile for agriculture in some locations. The term “terrace” also appears in urban and architectural contexts, where a terrace is a flat, open outdoor space connected to a building. Rooftop terraces are common in warm climates, while terrace houses describe a row of adjoining residential units sharing side walls and a continuous façade, often emphasizing outdoor living space.