subtraction

American  

[suhb-trak-shuhn] / səbˈtræk ʃən /

noun

1. an act or instance of subtracting.

2. Mathematics. the operation or process of finding the difference between two numbers or quantities, denoted by a minus sign (−).

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subtraction British  

/ səbˈtrækʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of subtracting

2. a mathematical operation in which the difference between two numbers or quantities is calculated. Usually indicated by the symbol (–)

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subtraction Scientific  

/ səb-trăk′shən /

1. The operation of finding the difference between two numbers or quantities.

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Other Word Forms

• nonsubtraction noun

Etymology

Origin of subtraction

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin subtractiōn- (stem of subtractiō ) a withdrawing, equivalent to subtract ( us ) ( subtract ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, also decreased.

From Barron's

Toby had put parentheses after exponents when explaining PEMDAS, even though the order was literally parentheses, exponents, multiplication, division, addition, subtraction.

From Literature

But there is a further subtraction for Irmaa, if your income exceeds certain thresholds.

From The Wall Street Journal

So, in terms of stress, watching baby animals playing is the opposite of a surprise job interview or an on-the-spot subtraction task.

From BBC

But here’s the catch: Adaptations are primarily about subtraction.

From Los Angeles Times