subtraction

sub·trac·tion

noun \səb-ˈtrak-shən\

Definition of SUBTRACTION

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

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

b : the operation of deducting one number from another

Examples of SUBTRACTION

1. The children are learning addition and subtraction.
2. <the restaurant may not have raised the price, but there's definitely been a subtraction in the number of fries in a side order>

Origin of SUBTRACTION

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

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to SUBTRACTION

Synonyms

deduction

Antonyms

accession, addition

Related Words

discount, giveback, kickback, rebate; abatement, decline, decrement, detraction, diminishment, diminution, drop, fall, loss, reduction, shrinkage; curtailment, cut, cutback

Near Antonyms

boost, enlargement, gain, increase, increment, raise, rise; accretion, accrual, accumulation, addendum, appendix, augmentation, supplement, supplementation

Rhymes with SUBTRACTION

abstraction, attraction, bolt-action, class action, compaction, contraction, cross action, detraction, diffraction, distraction, exaction, extraction, impaction, inaction, infraction, job action, live-action, olfaction, protraction, reaction, redaction, refraction, retraction, stop-action, transaction