subtract

verb

sub·​tract səb-ˈtrakt 

subtracted; subtracting; subtracts

transitive verb

: to take away by or as if by deducting

subtract 5 from 9

subtract funds from the project

intransitive verb

: to perform a subtraction

subtracter noun

Synonyms

• abate
• deduct
• knock off
• take off

Examples of subtract in a Sentence

if you subtract 10 from 23, you get 13

you can subtract the time you spent daydreaming from your total homework time

Recent Examples on the Web

Trade was a drag on growth in the period, with imports, which subtract from the GDP calculation, off 0.8%. —Jeff Cox, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2025

His exit from the playoffs doesn’t subtract from that, and, besides, the Bills-Chiefs AFC Championship Game was entertaining as heck. —Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 28 Jan. 2025

The Kings have leaped back over .500 after a hot streak under interim coach Doug Christie and have maintained internal motivation to add to this core, not subtract. —Eric Koreen, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025

If the captive has paid policyholder dividends back to the insured, the amount of those dividends is subtracted from the premiums received. —Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin subtractus, past participle of subtrahere to draw from beneath, withdraw, from sub- + trahere to draw

First Known Use

1557, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

subtract

verb

sub·​tract səb-ˈtrakt 

1

: to take away (as one part or number) from another : deduct

subtract 5 from 9

2

: to perform a subtraction