subtraction

[ suhb-trak-shuhn ]

noun

1. an act or instance of subtracting.
2. Mathematics. the operation or process of finding the difference between two numbers or quantities, denoted by a minus sign (−).

subtraction

/ səbˈtrækʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of subtracting
2. a mathematical operation in which the difference between two numbers or quantities is calculated. Usually indicated by the symbol (–)

subtraction

/ səb-trăk′shən /

1. The operation of finding the difference between two numbers or quantities.

Other Words From

• nonsub·traction noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of subtraction¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin subtractiōn- (stem of subtractiō ) a withdrawing, equivalent to subtract ( us ) ( subtract ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

The team plied their subject AI models with questions drawn from a popular collection of more than 8,000 grade school arithmetic problems testing schoolchildren’s understanding of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

From Los Angeles Times

But in light of the Supreme Court’s decision, those subtractions make the case that much stronger.

From Salon

The former is addition by subtraction; the latter, addition by constancy.

From Seattle Times

That’s where another of the firm’s tenets — “addition by subtraction” — comes into play.

From Seattle Times

“But in reality, we are not even teaching addition and subtraction, and sex education is not a priority.”

From Seattle Times