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

Some are fearful, however, that an old pattern of extraction without development may be settling in. —Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 13 Mar. 2026

Artisanal mine collapses are common in the Central African Republic, where several thousand people work in small-scale extraction mining. —ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026

Numerous other diseases and disorders can also mess with calorie extraction, though not through the digestive enzyme route. —Caroline Tien, SELF, 11 Mar. 2026

With a firm grasp of the fine points of cellphone extraction, arson investigation and other technical subjects, Brissette explores any deviation, no matter the scale of the impact, from a law enforcement agency’s general orders. —Emerson Clarridge updated March 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Mar. 2026

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