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

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

extraction extractions

Ramshackle extraction infrastructure means Venezuela currently produces only about 1 percent of daily global supply.

From Slate ● Aug. 31, 2026

The nail-biting finale saw the two pairs jumping on an extraction plane from a beach in north Wales, narrowly escaping the hunters.

From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2026

The U.S. invented seawater extraction of magnesium, and it has no shortage of coastline on which to scale it.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026

"It's a win-win," he said, as long as the extraction processes do not send energy consumption or emissions soaring.

From Barron's ● Aug. 4, 2026

The architects of the Jamaica uprisings had been of Beninese and Congolese extraction, willful and cunning.

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead

McPhail said homeowners are starting to tap more of their home equity but that those extractions are rising more for consumers with lower credit scores.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 19, 2026

Tina, 59, is battling a uterine infection and Billy, 40, could face invasive sperm extractions, according to Courtney Scott, veteran elephant consultant with In Defense of Animals.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 31, 2026

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

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

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

Related Words

• eradication