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 of extraction

• 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

De-extinction doesn’t address the underlying causes of extinction, which include habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, natural resource extraction, and more. —JSTOR Daily, 13 Nov. 2025

The kingdom has established Manara Minerals, a joint venture between Maaden and the country’s sovereign wealth fund, to invest globally in extraction projects and bring back the resources to Saudi Arabia for processing. —Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2025

Countries across the region are ramping up extraction but Brazil, Guyana and Argentina are at the forefront — among the top five drivers of global oil growth outside of OPEC, the group of major oil exporters. —Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025

Traditional methods rely on strong acids, such as sulfuric acid, as well as multi-step chemical extractions to separate them. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 10 Nov. 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