subtraction

/səbˈtrækʃən/

/səbˈtrækʃən/

Other forms: subtractions

In math, subtraction is when you take one number away from another number. In other words, the subtraction of two from five gives you an answer of three.

In school, subtraction is typically the second operation you learn in arithmetic, after addition. When a problem has you take four apples away from eight apples, that's subtraction. If you see the word minus, or the symbol -, that's also subtraction. The word itself comes from the Late Latin subtractionem, "a drawing back or taking away," from subtrahere, "take away," which combines sub, "from under," and trahere, "to pull."

Definitions of subtraction

1. noun

   an arithmetic operation in which the difference between two numbers is calculated
   “the subtraction of three from four leaves one”

   synonyms: minus

   type of:

   arithmetic operation

   a mathematical operation involving numbers
2. noun

   the act of subtracting (removing a part from the whole)
   “he complained about the subtraction of money from their paychecks”

   synonyms: deduction

   antonyms:

   addition

   the act of adding one thing to another

   types:

   bite

   a portion removed from the whole

   withholding

   the act of deducting from an employee's salary

   type of:

   decrease, diminution, reduction, step-down

   the act of decreasing or reducing something