extraction

noun

ex·​trac·​tion ik-ˈstrak-shən How to pronounce extraction (audio)
1
: the act or process of extracting something
2
: ancestry, origin
a family of French extraction
3
: something extracted

Examples of extraction in a Sentence

tooth extractions and other dental procedures the extraction of teeth by dentists the extraction of juices from plant matter
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This means increasing domestic oil and gas production, rolling back regulations that were perceived to inhibit fossil fuel extraction, and positioning the U.S. as a global energy powerhouse. Steven Dudash, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025 Companies eager to begin extraction could theoretically do so, by partnering with a U.S. government unrestrained by global seabed mining law. Daniel Ackerman, NPR, 27 Mar. 2025 Many areas of Greenland, however, are currently closed off to extraction. Simmone Shah, TIME, 25 Mar. 2025 These agencies are responsible not only for conservation, recreation, and grazing on these public lands, but also for overseeing the onshore and offshore leasing of oil and gas extraction. Sweta Chakraborty, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for extraction

Word History

Etymology

Middle English extraccioun "removal (of blood, foreign matter from the body), determination (of the root of a number)," borrowed from Late Latin extractiōn-, extractiō "withdrawal, removal," from Latin extrac-, variant stem of extrahere "to pull out, draw forth" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at extract entry 1

Note: Sense 2, attested since William Caxton, is based on Middle French extracion, estration, etc., in this meaning.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of extraction was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Extraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extraction. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

extraction

noun
ex·​trac·​tion ik-ˈstrak-shən How to pronounce extraction (audio)
1
: the act or process of extracting
2
: the origin of a person
of Italian extraction

Medical Definition

extraction

noun
ex·​trac·​tion ik-ˈstrak-shən How to pronounce extraction (audio)
: the act or process of extracting something
extraction of a tooth

More from Merriam-Webster on extraction

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