extraction

noun

ex·​trac·​tion ik-ˈstrak-shən How to pronounce extraction (audio)
1
: the act or process of extracting something
2
: ancestry, origin
a family of French extraction
3
: something extracted

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That evening, a four-person extraction team, shrouded in darkness, kidnaps Luke from his bed. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 13 July 2025 An uneven grind means uneven extraction and uneven flavor. Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 11 July 2025 Why cities like Spokane need the help Like many communities in the American West, Spokane was founded in the late 19th century on wealth from railroads and resource extraction, especially gold, silver and timber. Brian G. Henning, The Conversation, 9 July 2025 The process requires quantum circuits to perform data encoding, followed by transformation steps and pattern extraction. Sadhasivam Mohanadas, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for extraction

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of extraction was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Extraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extraction. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

extraction

noun
ex·​trac·​tion ik-ˈstrak-shən How to pronounce extraction (audio)
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 How to pronounce extraction (audio)
: the act or process of extracting something
extraction of a tooth

More from Merriam-Webster on extraction

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