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

Williams began researching extractive industries after a 2011 trip to Senegal with co-creator and partner Anisia Uzeyman. —Okla Jones, Essence, 14 July 2025

Companies like OpenAI, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft dominate through vast computational resources, massive proprietary datasets, deep pools of technical talent, extractive data practices, low-cost labor, and capital that enables continuous experimentation and rapid deployment. —Trebor Scholz, Harvard Business Review, 27 June 2025

Noun

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

The filing also discusses the company's strategy of employing advanced brine extractive technology methodologies and its ongoing talks with extraction providers. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024

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