subtraction

noun

sub·​trac·​tion səb-ˈtrak-shən 

: an act, operation, or instance of subtracting: such as

a

: the withdrawing or withholding of a right to which an individual is entitled

b

: the operation of deducting one number from another

Synonyms

• deduction

Examples of subtraction in a Sentence

The children are learning addition and subtraction.

the restaurant may not have raised the price, but there's definitely been a subtraction in the number of fries in a side order

Recent Examples on the Web

Without divisions, and with the likelihood that head-to-head won’t apply because of the misses, the formula starts to look less like subtraction and more like something suitable for Isaac Newton. —Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 6 May 2024

Unfortunately, the human characters have never mattered less, other than trying, ineffectively, to explain the chaos that ensues, as multiplication equals subtraction in a sequel that’s Titan-ic in all the wrong ways. —Brian Lowry, CNN, 28 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English subtraccion, from Anglo-French sustraction, subtraction, from Late Latin subtraction-, subtractio, from Latin subtrahere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

subtraction

noun

sub·​trac·​tion səb-ˈtrak-shən 

1

: an act or instance of subtracting

2

: the operation of deducting one number from another