extractive

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​trac·​tive ik-ˈstrak-tiv 

ˈek-ˌstrak-

1

a

: of, relating to, or involving extraction

b

: tending toward or resulting in withdrawal of natural resources by extraction with no provision for replenishment

extractive agriculture

2

: capable of being extracted

extractively adverb

extractive

2 of 2

noun

: something extracted or extractable : extract

Examples of extractive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Both places are sacred to native tribes, who pushed for monument status, which limits logging, mining and other extractive uses, such as energy development. —Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2025

These resources may attract investment, but extractive industries are also vulnerable to corruption—which leads to public suspicion—and are unlikely to generate many of the high-quality skilled jobs that Ukraine needs in order to attract back millions of wartime refugees. —G. John Ikenberry, Foreign Affairs, 12 Mar. 2025

Noun

American Battery's strategic goal is to become a producer of lithium in the United States, employing advanced brine extractive technology methodologies. —Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 25 Mar. 2025

The filing also discusses the company's strategy of employing advanced brine extractive technology methodologies and its ongoing talks with extraction providers. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Medieval Latin extractīvus "drawing off, removing," from Latin extractus, past participle of extrahere "to pull out, draw forth" + -īvus -ive — more at extract entry 1

Noun

derivative of extractive entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1810, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for extractive

• attractive
• contractive
• inactive
• proactive
• reactive
• refractive
• subtractive
• active
• tractive
• bioactive
• hyperactive
• interactive

Medical Definition

extractive

1 of 2 adjective

ex·​trac·​tive ik-ˈstrak-tiv, ˈek-ˌ 

: of, relating to, or involving extraction

extractive processes

extractive

2 of 2 noun

: something extracted or extractable : extract