cut down

verb

cut down; cutting down; cuts down

transitive verb

1

a

: to strike down and kill or incapacitate

b

: knock down

2

a

: to remodel by removing extras or unwanted furnishings and fittings

b

: to remake in a smaller size

intransitive verb

: to reduce or curtail volume or activity

cut down on smoking

Phrases

cut down to size

: to reduce from an inflated or exaggerated importance to true or suitable stature

Examples of cut down in a Sentence

we need to cut down that dying tree

Recent Examples on the Web

It's designed to fit comfortably in your hand and glide perfectly with your favorite body oils, cutting down surface friction while easing muscle tension. —Allure, 14 Apr. 2025

The decision by the appeal court Friday could be appealed by the National Treasury Employees Union, which brought the lawsuit against acting CFPB director and Office of Management and Budget director Russell Vought over the actions of the agency to cut down its size. —Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 12 Apr. 2025

This will help maximize your washer's efficiency, cutting down on your energy usage. —Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Apr. 2025

However, cutting down large amounts of trees will increase carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, in turn increasing the climate change factors behind larger and worsening fires. —David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1571, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for cut down

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown

Kids Definition

cut down

verb

1

: to knock down and kill or wound

2

: to make over in a smaller size

3

: to reduce something in amount

cut down on energy use

Medical Definition

cutdown

noun

cut·​down ˈkət-ˌdau̇n 

: incision of a superficial blood vessel (as a vein) to facilitate insertion of a catheter (as for administration of fluids)