subtract

verb sub·tract \ səb-ˈtrakt \

|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

Examples: subtract in a Sentence

Definition of subtract

subtracted; subtracting; subtracts

transitive verb

: to take away by or as if by deducting

subtract 5 from 9

subtract funds from the project

intransitive verb

: to perform a subtraction

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subtracter

noun

See subtract defined for English-language learners

See subtract defined for kids

Examples of subtract in a Sentence

if you subtract 10 from 23, you get 13
you can subtract the time you spent daydreaming from your total homework time

Recent Examples of subtract from the Web

The two prefab modules have parts of their mass subtracted to create a double-height entryway and covered terrace.

— liz stinson, Curbed, "Bright red prefab home could pass for a modern barn," 8 June 2018
Emmett said last week that based on feedback from the public during these meetings, the county may add, subtract or modify projects to be completed with bond funds.

— zach despart, Houston Chronicle, "Emmett to kick off flood bond meetings Tuesday in SW Houston," 4 June 2018
Grades were based on points added for votes in favor of pro-transparency bills and against bills adding exemptions to the records laws, and points subtracted for votes in favor of exemption bills.

— gray rohrer, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Lawmakers score better on openness, but Sunshine Law exemptions still pass," 11 Apr. 2018
Grades were based on points added for votes in favor of pro-transparency bills and against bills adding exemptions to the records laws, and points subtracted for votes in favor of exemption bills.

— gray rohrer, miamiherald, "Florida's renowned Sunshine Laws took another 12 hits from the Legislature this year | Miami Herald," 10 Apr. 2018
With the six plans as a starting point, buyers can move walls, add or subtract windows, and change the function of some rooms.

— james alexander, courant.com, "Property of the week: Beckley Farms, Berlin," 2 Mar. 2018
Each time rules were subtracted, the software seemed to improve.

— matthew hutson, Science | AAAS, "How researchers are teaching AI to learn like a child," 24 May 2018
But there's something fitting and starkly poignant about the way so much of their story has been deliberately subtracted, as though lost to the cruel, relentless tides of history.

— justin chang, latimes.com, "Cannes: Passion and politics merge in the exquisite doomed romances of 'Ash Is Purest White,' 'Cold War'," 13 May 2018
This is similar to the first part of the MIT team’s system, just without the extra step of subtracting fog photons from the scene.

— emily matchar, Smithsonian, "This New System Can See Through Fog Far Better Than Humans," 7 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'subtract.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of subtract

Latin subtractus, past participle of subtrahere to draw from beneath, withdraw, from sub- + trahere to draw

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First Known Use: 1557

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

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subtract Synonyms

SUBTRACT Defined for English Language Learners

subtract

verb

Definition of subtract for English Language Learners

: to take (a number or amount) from another number or amount

SUBTRACT Defined for Kids

subtract

verb sub·tract \ səb-ˈtrakt \

Definition of subtract for Students

subtracted; subtracting

: to take away (as one part or number from another) : deduct

Word Root of subtract

The Latin word tractus, meaning “pulled” or “dragged,” gives us the root tract. Words from the Latin tractus have to do with being pulled or dragged. To attract is to pull or draw towards you. To distract is to pull someone's attention away from something. To extract is to pull one thing out of another. To subtract is to pull a portion or number away from a group or from a whole.