subtraction

noun

sub·​trac·​tion səb-ˈtrak-shən 

: an act, operation, or instance of subtracting: such as

a

: the withdrawing or withholding of a right to which an individual is entitled

b

: the operation of deducting one number from another

Synonyms

• deduction

Examples of subtraction in a Sentence

The children are learning addition and subtraction.

the restaurant may not have raised the price, but there's definitely been a subtraction in the number of fries in a side order

Recent Examples on the Web

However, in many ways, this is a case of addition by subtraction. —The Athletic, New York Times, 13 May 2025

The addition of one Utah tight end, however, meant the subtraction of another. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 12 May 2025

The subtraction is only to prevent double-counting, though, since those purchases are already covered in the other terms of the equation. —The Editors, National Review, 1 May 2025

That subtraction should free most sports games up to fully take advantage of the PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X and the new Nintendo Switch. —Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English subtraccion, from Anglo-French sustraction, subtraction, from Late Latin subtraction-, subtractio, from Latin subtrahere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for subtraction

• abstraction
• attraction
• compaction
• contraction
• detraction
• diffraction
• distraction
• exaction
• extraction
• impaction
• inaction
• infraction

Kids Definition

subtraction

noun

sub·​trac·​tion səb-ˈtrak-shən 

1

: an act or instance of subtracting

2

: the operation of deducting one number from another