minus sign

American  

noun

Arithmetic.

1. the symbol (−) denoting subtraction or a negative quantity.

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minus sign British  

noun

1. the symbol –, indicating subtraction or a negative quantity

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Etymology

Origin of minus sign

First recorded in 1660–70

Example Sentences

“The fact that a minus sign determines the fact that you and I are having this conversation is the weirdest thing in nature,” Meade says.

From Scientific American • Aug. 28, 2023

If you know you definitely do not want a word included, add it after a minus sign — type in -rum and you’ll get pages without the word rum on them.

From Washington Post • Feb. 15, 2023

Next, use quotation marks, the minus sign and the site operator, liberally.

From Washington Post • Feb. 15, 2023

In one-dimensional, or straight-line, motion, the direction of a vector can be given simply by a plus or minus sign.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

“Padre dear, his bad thoughts have only the minus sign, haven’t they?”

From Carmen Ariza by Stocking, Charles Francis