extraction
Americannoun
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an act or instance of extracting.
the extraction of a molar.
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the state or fact of being extracted.
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descent or lineage.
to be of foreign extraction.
noun
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the act of extracting or the condition of being extracted
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something extracted; an extract
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the act or an instance of extracting a tooth or teeth
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a tooth or teeth extracted
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origin, descent, lineage, or ancestry
of German extraction
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of extraction
1375–1425; late Middle English extraccioun < Late Latin extractiōn- (stem of extractiō ). See extract, -ion
Explanation
Extraction is the action of removing something. For example, when the dentist yanks out your rotten tooth, the extraction is complete! In addition to this wince-inducing meaning, the noun extraction is the process of separating out something from a chemical mixture or compound. Take decaffeinated coffee — the caffeine is removed by extraction, so you've got science to thank for not being jittery after breakfast. Extraction can also refer to your family background. If you are of Greek extraction, for example, your family history can be traced back to Greece.
Vocabulary lists containing extraction
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Extraction began at Amdai Ghat around 2021, and at Rowghat in 2023.
From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026
To overcome this challenge, a team led by Professor Hongwei Chen at Tsinghua University in China developed a groundbreaking device known as the Optical Feature Extraction Engine, or OFE2.
From Science Daily • Oct. 28, 2025
Extraction in Australia requires additional energy because the lithium ore, also known as spodumene, has to be mined and removed from solid rock.
From BBC • Sep. 25, 2024
Extraction industries such as logging and milling were fading — gone in the city.
From Seattle Times • Nov. 24, 2023
And also here tonight is the Vice President of Stteetchh Extraction, Inc. He will say a few words to.
From "Landscape with Invisible Hand" by M.T. Anderson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
