extraction

American  

[ik-strak-shuhn] / ɪkˈstræk ʃən /

noun

• extractions
  plural

1. an act or instance of extracting.

   the extraction of a molar.

2. the state or fact of being extracted.

3. descent or lineage.

   to be of foreign extraction.

4. something extracted; extract.

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extraction British  

/ ɪkˈstrækʃən /

noun

1. the act of extracting or the condition of being extracted

2. something extracted; an extract

3. 1. the act or an instance of extracting a tooth or teeth

   2. a tooth or teeth extracted

4. origin, descent, lineage, or ancestry

   of German extraction

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonextraction
  noun
• overextraction
  noun
• preextraction
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• extractions
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of extraction

1375–1425; late Middle English extraccioun < Late Latin extractiōn- (stem of extractiō ). See extract, -ion

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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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

extraction extractions

Through a series of carefully designed experiments, they evaluated how changes in temperature, extraction time, and solvent quantity affected the results, both individually and in combination.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 14, 2026

Becerra may also be sympathetic to environmental justice communities — poorer neighborhoods, often of color — that have experienced disproportionately negative effects from extraction industries such as oil drilling and mining.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2026

Oil and gas extraction, however, weakened for a third month in row with a decrease in oil sands activity as some facilities in northern Alberta undertook maintenance.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026

Among projects for the extraction, refining, or recycling of strategic minerals supported by the European Union, five involve tungsten, including two mines.

From Barron's ● Oct. 21, 2026

Why on earth, I wondered, would anyone choose cell extraction?

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

At the surgery he was then told the extractions were so complex the price would go up to £350.

From BBC ● Mar. 24, 2026

PE-owned dentist offices are more likely to change focus from prevention to more-lucrative restoration procedures, and some have been sued by former patients alleging unnecessary tooth extractions and root canals.

From Slate ● Mar. 17, 2026

When I book a facial while traveling, I’m not looking for heavy extractions or intensive treatments — just hydration and relaxation.

From Salon ● Mar. 7, 2026

It had been bothering me for a couple of weeks, so I went to see my dentist, hoping for the best and preparing for the worst, having had two extractions in less than two years.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 28, 2026

The day after the SHU extractions, CO Konoval showed his videotape in the minutes before lineup.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

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