subtraction

[ suh b-trak-shuh n ]

/ səbˈtræk ʃən /

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 (−).

Nearby words

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

Related formsnon·sub·trac·tion, noun

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

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
Negative Numbers may be regarded as resulting from the commutative law for addition and subtraction.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 5|Various
Addition and subtraction of numbers up to one hundred continued.
The School System of Norway|David Allen Anderson
The children were then questioned on the simple rules of addition and subtraction, and their answers were prompt and accurate.
The Anti-Slavery Examiner, Omnibus|American Anti-Slavery Society

And Jerry hurried off before Carl could ask just why he wanted to know the answer to that particular sum in subtraction.
Jerry's Charge Account|Hazel Hutchins Wilson
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

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

Word Origin and History for subtraction

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.