subtraction

noun

sub·​trac·​tion səb-ˈtrak-shən 

: an act, operation, or instance of subtracting: such as

a

: the withdrawing or withholding of a right to which an individual is entitled

b

: the operation of deducting one number from another

Synonyms

• deduction

Examples of subtraction in a Sentence

The children are learning addition and subtraction.

the restaurant may not have raised the price, but there's definitely been a subtraction in the number of fries in a side order

Recent Examples on the Web

Just one or two servings of beans daily amounts to a subtraction of less-healthy food options, leading to even more benefits. —Becky Upham, EverydayHealth.com, 18 Oct. 2024

Each skill level builds on the previous one—multiplication and division, for example, build on addition and subtraction—and there are many more levels of explicit skill knowledge in math than in reading. —Jaimie Seaton, Scientific American, 29 Mar. 2024

Remarkably, the rudimentary tools that the ancient Greeks used to draw their geometric diagrams perfectly match the natural operations of modern-day algebra: addition (+), subtraction (–), multiplication (x), division (/) and taking square roots (√). —Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 12 Sep. 2024

Cases of addition by subtraction on the roster are sort of rare. —Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English subtraccion, from Anglo-French sustraction, subtraction, from Late Latin subtraction-, subtractio, from Latin subtrahere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

subtraction

noun

sub·​trac·​tion səb-ˈtrak-shən 

1

: an act or instance of subtracting

2

: the operation of deducting one number from another