subtraction

[suh b-trak-shuh n]

SEE MORE 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 (−).

Origin of subtraction

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

Related formsnon·sub·trac·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for subtraction

diminution, discount, reduction, decrease, subduction

Examples from the Web for subtraction

Contemporary Examples of subtraction

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

Historical Examples of subtraction

But the family-party was soon to be broken up—not by subtraction, but by addition.
Weighed and Wanting
George MacDonald
But the addition or subtraction disclosed a deficit and he exclaimed at it.
The Paliser case
Edgar Saltus
Now it appears to me that a little child, with the simple rules of addition and subtraction, could have refuted this man.
The Seventh Day Sabbath, a Perpetual Sign, from the Beginning to the Entering into the Gates of the Holy City, According to the Commandment
Joseph Bates
It will be seen that the latter method is by addition, the former by subtraction.
The Maya Chronicles
Various
The Indian is no fool, although he can't do addition and subtraction.
The Continental Monthly, Vol. 6, No 2, August, 1864
Various

British Dictionary definitions for subtraction

subtraction

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

Word Origin and History for subtraction

c.1400, "withdrawal, removal," from Late Latin subtractionem (nominative subtractio) "a drawing back, taking away," from past participle stem of Latin subtrahere "take away, draw off," from sub "from under" (see sub-) + trahere "to pull, draw" (see tract (n.1)). The mathematical sense is attested from early 15c.

Þou most know þat subtraccion is drawynge of one nowmber oute of anoþer nomber. ["The Crafte of Nombrynge," c.1425]

subtraction in Science

subtraction

[səb-trăk′shən]

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