subtraction

American  

[suhb-trak-shuhn] / səbˈtræk ʃən /

noun

1. an act or instance of subtracting.

2. Mathematics. the operation or process of finding the difference between two numbers or quantities, denoted by a minus sign (−).

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subtraction British  

/ səbˈtrækʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of subtracting

2. a mathematical operation in which the difference between two numbers or quantities is calculated. Usually indicated by the symbol (–)

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subtraction Scientific  

/ səb-trăk′shən /

1. The operation of finding the difference between two numbers or quantities.

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Other Word Forms

• nonsubtraction noun

Etymology

Origin of subtraction

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin subtractiōn- (stem of subtractiō ) a withdrawing, equivalent to subtract ( us ) ( subtract ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

So, in terms of stress, watching baby animals playing is the opposite of a surprise job interview or an on-the-spot subtraction task.

From BBC

But here’s the catch: Adaptations are primarily about subtraction.

From Los Angeles Times

“Marketplace is undergoing a rationalization, addition by subtraction, as we reduce our exposure while the risk pool stabilizes,” Zubretsky said, according to a FactSet transcript.

From MarketWatch

As I spent an embarrassing length of time trying to force my brain to perform subtraction, all I could think was that I wanted to flee the increasingly stuffy room.

From BBC

Great songwriting is about compression, and the element of subtraction distills what Bono clearly considers to be the most important elements of his life into 90 minutes.

From Salon