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subtraction

[ suh b-trak-shuh n ]
/ səbˈtræk ʃən /
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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Words related to subtraction

diminution, discount, reduction, decrease, subduction

Words nearby subtraction

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

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

Examples from the Web for subtraction

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

Science definitions for subtraction

subtraction
[ səb-trăk′shən ]

The operation of finding the difference between two numbers or quantities.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.