Word Noun
subtraction
n.
B1 Intermediate US /səbˈtɹækʃən/ UK /sʌbtɹˈækʃən/ sub·trac·tion UK spelling subtractions
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.”
Etymology
Borrowed from Late Latin subtractio, subtractionis. Can be decomposed to subtract + -ion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
This entry
Origin la-lat subtractio
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated