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

Imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, also decreased.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

But there is a further subtraction for Irmaa, if your income exceeds certain thresholds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

“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 • Oct. 23, 2025

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 • Oct. 12, 2025

When I was five and was taught subtraction, 03-01 showed me how to weigh the golden chamber-pot and subtract its weight to determine more easily how much I had passed in the day.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson