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

Trump could attempt to cut down the sometimes interminable permitting process for the transmission lines that carry that electricity to data centers. —Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2025

Reducing these avoidable medical crises would dramatically cut down on the need for costly treatments, emergency room visits and hospital admissions. —Robert Pearl, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025

In early 2024, the Sandpiper Bay Resort in Port St Lucie, Fla., was ordered to plant 2,800 mangrove trees on its property after cutting down nearly 1,000 of them without a permit. —Sarah Stodola, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025

While his personal production may be down, Bouchard has showcased an improved defensive game where he’s cut down on his chances and goals against. —Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 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)