subtract

verb sub·tract \ səb-ˈtrakt \

Definition of subtract

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

Hotter oceans are generally thought to boost the intensity of storms, but not necessarily their frequency, and researchers subtract out this long-term warming when calculating the AMO.

— julia rosen, Science | AAAS, "Human influence may prolong ocean cycle that gave birth to Harvey," 29 Aug. 2017
For the underdog's points, subtract the game's spread from its over/under and divide by two.

— chris raybon, SI.com, "Strategy and Advice for Picking a DFS Quarterback," 28 Aug. 2017
That follows a tepid 1.2 percent expansion in the first quarter, which was dragged down in part because inventories subtracted from overall economic activity.

— matt ott, The Seattle Times, "US businesses increase stockpiles in June," 15 Aug. 2017
That follows a tepid 1.2% expansion in the first quarter, which was dragged down in part because inventories subtracted from overall economic activity.

— matt ott, USA TODAY, "U.S. businesses increased stockpiles in June," 15 Aug. 2017
Similar to Facebook, Google is introducing the ability to add and subtract certain topics of interest.

— chris ciaccia, Fox News, "Google wants to be more like Facebook as it rolls out its own news feed," 19 July 2017
Kelly’s probably had 15 subtracted for being too damn delicious.

— andy staples, SI.com, "Where to eat, drink in Athens, Georgia," 30 June 2017
Get a key combo wrong and the machine will buzz disapprovingly—and subtract a minute from your total remaining time.

— nate anderson, Ars Technica, "Roundup: The best “escape room” games for a breakout party," 24 June 2017
But AR can also be used to subtract items from view and help consumers focus on specific objects lost in panoply of visual clutter.

— jay samit, Fortune, "Brick and Mortar Retail Is About to Get a Technology Makeover," 23 June 2017

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1557

See Words from the same year

subtract Synonyms

Synonyms

abate, deduct, knock off, take off

Antonyms

add, tack (on)

Related Words

decrease, diminish, discount, downsize, dwindle, knock down, lessen, lower, reduce; abbreviate, abridge, clip, crop, curtail, cut, cut back, cut down, dock, pare, prune, retrench, shorten, slash, trim, truncate, whittle

Near Antonyms

adjoin, annex, append; complement, supplement; enhance, heighten, intensify, magnify; aggrandize, amplify, augment, beef (up), boost, compound, enlarge, escalate, expand, increase, multiply, raise

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.