extractive

American  

[ik-strak-tiv] / ɪkˈstræk tɪv /

adjective

1. tending or serving to extract, or based upon extraction.

   coal, oil, copper, and other extractive industries.

2. capable of being extracted, as from the earth.

   extractive fuels.

3. of, relating to, or involving extraction.

   extractive surgery.

4. of or of the nature of an extract.

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noun

1. something extracted.

extractive British  

/ ɪkˈstræktɪv /

adjective

1. tending or serving to extract

2. of, involving, or capable of extraction

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noun

1. something extracted or capable of being extracted

2. the part of an extract that is insoluble

Other Word Forms

• nonextractive
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of extractive

First recorded in 1590–1600; extract + -ive

Example Sentences

States that depend heavily on extractive industries such as mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction tended to offer fewer protections for insects and arachnids.

From Science Daily • Mar. 14, 2026

Vegas has grown more expensive in recent years—hotels and restaurants have gotten pricier, gambling more extractive.

From Slate • Nov. 18, 2025

In contrast, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan already have mature extractive industries, technical expertise, and governments eager to expand cooperation with the West.

From Barron's • Oct. 24, 2025

"There is the issue of climate change, that it doesn't rain anymore, but the main impact has been caused by extractive mining," he says.

From BBC • Jul. 19, 2025

A great many substances are found in plants, such as wax, mannite, "extractive matter," citric, malic, and other acids, of the nutritive value of which very little is known.

From The Stock-Feeder's Manual the chemistry of food in relation to the breeding and feeding of live stock by Cameron, Charles Alexander, Sir