extractive

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​trac·​tive ik-ˈstrak-tiv 

ˈek-ˌstrak-

1

a

: of, relating to, or involving extraction

b

: tending toward or resulting in withdrawal of natural resources by extraction with no provision for replenishment

extractive agriculture

2

: capable of being extracted

extractively adverb

extractive

2 of 2

noun

: something extracted or extractable : extract

Examples of extractive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Advertisement But while more efficient monetization of natural resources would provide a shot in the arm, the crux is leveraging that windfall to diversify the economy beyond extractive industries—futureproofing economies for when commodity prices drop. —Charlie Campbell, Time, 30 Oct. 2025

Survival says around 96% of the groups face threats from extractive industries like mining. —Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2025

Noun

Another type of vanilla powder, made from vanilla extractives, starches, and additives like maltodextrin to prevent clumping, is suitable for dry mixes like homemade pancake mix or for adding to a coating for doughnuts, or mixing with powdered sugar to sprinkle over a Bundt cake. —Sarah Jampel, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 July 2025

American Battery's strategic goal is to become a producer of lithium in the United States, employing advanced brine extractive technology methodologies. —Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 25 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Medieval Latin extractīvus "drawing off, removing," from Latin extractus, past participle of extrahere "to pull out, draw forth" + -īvus -ive — more at extract entry 1

Noun

derivative of extractive entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1810, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for extractive

• attractive
• contractive
• inactive
• proactive
• reactive
• refractive
• subtractive
• active
• tractive
• bioactive
• hyperactive
• interactive

Medical Definition

extractive

1 of 2 adjective

ex·​trac·​tive ik-ˈstrak-tiv, ˈek-ˌ 

: of, relating to, or involving extraction

extractive processes

extractive

2 of 2 noun

: something extracted or extractable : extract