Word
subtraction
Phoneticssub·trac·tion, stress on the second syllable
US/səbˈtɹækʃən/
UK/sʌbtɹˈækʃən/
Definition
n. the process of taking one number or amount away from another. It is the opposite of addition.
n. the mathematical operation of removing one number from another; the result of such an operation.
Examples
“The subtraction of five from ten leaves five.”
“The accountant performed the subtraction of the monthly expenses from the total revenue to calculate the profit.”
“In algebra, the subtraction of variables follows the same rules as the subtraction of whole numbers, provided the terms are like terms.”
Examples
simple
“The subtraction of five from ten leaves five.”
contextual
“The accountant performed the subtraction of the monthly expenses from the total revenue to calculate the profit.”
complex
“In algebra, the subtraction of variables follows the same rules as the subtraction of whole numbers, provided the terms are like terms.”
Etymology
Borrowed from Late Latin subtractio, subtractionis. Can be decomposed to subtract + -ion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/subtraction