subtraction

[ suhb-trak-shuhn ]

/ səbˈtræk ʃən /

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See synonyms for subtraction on Thesaurus.com

noun

an act or instance of subtracting.

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

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Origin of subtraction

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

OTHER WORDS FROM subtraction

non·sub·trac·tion, noun

Words nearby subtraction

subtopia, subtopic, subtorrid, subtotal, subtract, subtraction, subtractive, subtractive color, subtractive process, subtrahend, subtreasury

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use subtraction in a sentence

Students two years behind, in second grade, are still mastering addition and subtraction problems and demonstrating they understand key details of texts, like characters and settings.
The Bureau of Indian Education Hasn’t Told the Public How Its Schools Are Performing. So We Did It Instead.|by Alden Woods, The Arizona Republic, and Agnel Philip, ProPublica|June 9, 2021|ProPublica
In a variation on the grid test, where subtraction yielded the best solution, participants got three practice runs.
Most people will add something — even when subtracting makes more sense|Sujata Gupta|May 10, 2021|Science News For Students
Malone sees a path forward for the Nuggets as they adjust to a crucial addition and subtraction.
Aaron Gordon Was Supposed To Be the Final Piece For Denver. Now, He’s The Key.|James L. Jackson|April 19, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
The researchers hypothesized that most participants defaulted to adding because they failed to even think about subtraction.
People add by default even when subtraction makes more sense|Sujata Gupta|April 7, 2021|Science News

Across all experiments, the vast majority of participants chose addition over subtraction.
People add by default even when subtraction makes more sense|Sujata Gupta|April 7, 2021|Science News
The theory of addition through subtraction doesn't work in mathematics or politics.
It's An Exciting Time to be a Republican|Justin Green|March 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In its report, the Commerce Department breaks down sectors by their contribution to—and subtraction from—the GDP figure.
Why the GDP Drop is No Big Deal|Daniel Gross|January 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The answer in subtraction is called the remainder, or difference.
A Week of Instruction and Amusement,|Mrs. Harley
Four things to know about subtraction: This is e Chapter of subtraccio, in the quych ou most know foure nessessary thynges.
The Earliest Arithmetics in English|Anonymous
The subtraction of a powerful stimulus will suffice to account for this event.
Vegetable Diet: As Sanctioned by Medical Men, and by Experience in All Ages|William Andrus Alcott
Thus, with the addition of Broglie and Maison, and the subtraction of Rigny, practically every one remains at his post.
Memoirs of the Duchesse de Dino v.1/3, 1831-1835|Dorothy Duchesse de Dino
This time we do not subtract A³ and CqA, because this subtraction is already affected by the preceding work.
William Oughtred|Florian Cajori

British Dictionary definitions for subtraction

subtraction

/ (səbˈtrækʃən) /

noun

the act or process of subtracting

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for subtraction

subtraction

[ səb-trăk′shən ]

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

subtraction

Origin of subtraction

OTHER WORDS FROM subtraction

Words nearby subtraction

Words related to subtraction

How to use subtraction in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for subtraction

Scientific definitions for subtraction