extraction

noun

ex·​trac·​tion ik-ˈstrak-shən 

1

: the act or process of extracting something

2

: ancestry, origin

a family of French extraction

3

: something extracted

Synonyms

• ancestry
• lineage
• origin
• descent
• breeding
• genealogy
• family
• pedigree

Examples of extraction in a Sentence

tooth extractions and other dental procedures

the extraction of teeth by dentists

the extraction of juices from plant matter

Recent Examples on the Web

The profit that follows from this virtuous cycle proves far more resilient than anything gained through short-term extraction. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025

That’s more than a factor of three in improvement of the signal strength over just 10 years, which enables a much more confident and robust extraction of the key parameters and properties associated with this merger. —Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 17 Sep. 2025

This eliminates the need for fracking, steam, or groundwater extraction, while at the same time removing any risk of environmental contamination. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025

But what does that mean on the ground and in the context of a history of colonialism and resource extraction? —The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 16 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English extraccioun "removal (of blood, foreign matter from the body), determination (of the root of a number)," borrowed from Late Latin extractiōn-, extractiō "withdrawal, removal," from Latin extrac-, variant stem of extrahere "to pull out, draw forth" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at extract entry 1

Note: Sense 2, attested since William Caxton, is based on Middle French extracion, estration, etc., in this meaning.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing extraction

• dilation and extraction

Rhymes for extraction

• abstraction
• attraction
• compaction
• contraction
• detraction
• diffraction
• distraction
• exaction
• impaction
• inaction
• infraction
• olfaction

Kids Definition

extraction

noun

ex·​trac·​tion ik-ˈstrak-shən 

1

: the act or process of extracting

2

: the origin of a person

of Italian extraction

Medical Definition

extraction

noun

ex·​trac·​tion ik-ˈstrak-shən 

: the act or process of extracting something

extraction of a tooth