subtraction

noun

sub·​trac·​tion səb-ˈtrak-shən How to pronounce subtraction (audio)
: 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
By the 1970s, those of North African origin made up a majority of French Jews, thanks to Jewish flight from the Maghreb and the subtraction of Ashkenazi Jews deported under the Vichy regime. Jonathan Laurence, Foreign Affairs, 16 Jan. 2015 The team plied their subject AI models with questions drawn from a popular collection of more than 8,000 grade school arithmetic problems testing schoolchildren’s understanding of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024 The Sharks’ additions, and perhaps the subtractions, should help with that endeavor. Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 8 July 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for subtraction 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of subtraction was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near subtraction

Cite this Entry

“Subtraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subtraction. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

subtraction

noun
sub·​trac·​tion səb-ˈtrak-shən How to pronounce subtraction (audio)
1
: an act or instance of subtracting
2
: the operation of deducting one number from another

More from Merriam-Webster on subtraction

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!