minus sign

noun

: a sign − used in mathematics to indicate subtraction (as in 8−6=2) or a negative quantity (as in −10°)

called also negative sign

Examples of minus sign in a Sentence

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.
Photograph: Dukas/Getty Images But a minus sign may not be the only thing that disappears. Shalma Wegsman, Wired News, 25 May 2025 Finally, the Arabella team pinpointed the problem—a hastily mistyped minus sign instead of a plus sign in one of the guidance parameters sent to RU27’s onboard computer. IEEE Spectrum, 26 Feb. 2010 The presence of that measly minus sign has enormous ramifications. Shalma Wegsman, Wired News, 25 May 2025 But a minus sign may not be the only thing that disappears. Shalma Wegsman, Quanta Magazine, 11 Apr. 2025 Eventually, the plus and minus signs became universal, as did the English symbol for equality, but only after decades of famous mathematicians competing in these popularity contests to set the trends. Max Springer, Scientific American, 7 Feb. 2025 That method has worked in Ars' testing, as has appending practically any other text string after a minus sign at the end of a search, for some reason. Ars Technica, 31 Jan. 2025 The spread is typically shown with a minus sign in front of the favorite and a plus sign in front of the underdog. Giovanni Malloy, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024 After locating the battery, remove the negative cable first (it should be marked with a minus sign), then remove the positive cable. Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of minus sign was in 1820

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Cite this Entry

“Minus sign.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/minus%20sign. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

minus sign

noun
: a sign − used to show subtraction (as in 8 − 6 = 2) or a quantity less than zero (as in −10°)

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