reduce

verb

re·​duce ri-ˈdüs 

-ˈdyüs

reduced; reducing

transitive verb

1

a

: to draw together or cause to converge : consolidate

reduce all the questions to one

b(1)

: to diminish in size, amount, extent, or number

reduce taxes

reduce the likelihood of war

(2)

: to decrease the volume and concentrate the flavor of by boiling

add the wine and reduce the sauce for two minutes

c

: to narrow down : restrict

peoples who were reduced to small reservations

d

: to make shorter : abridge

2

archaic : to restore to righteousness : save

3

: to bring to a specified state or condition

the impact of the movie reduced them to tears

4

a

: to force to capitulate

b

: force, compel

5

a

: to bring to a systematic form or character

reduce natural events to laws

b

: to put down in written or printed form

reduce an agreement to writing

6

: to correct (a fracture) by bringing displaced or broken parts back into their normal positions

7

a

: to lower in grade or rank : demote

b

: to lower in condition or status : downgrade

8

a

: to diminish in strength or density

b

: to diminish in value

9

a(1)

: to change the denominations or form of without changing the value

(2)

: to construct a geometrical figure similar to but smaller than (a given figure)

b

: to transpose from one form into another : convert

c

: to change (an expression) to an equivalent but more fundamental expression

reduce a fraction

10

: to break down (as by crushing or grinding) : pulverize

11

a

: to bring to the metallic state by removal of nonmetallic elements

reduce an ore by heat

b

: deoxidize

c

: to combine with or subject to the action of hydrogen

d(1)

: to change (an element or ion) from a higher to a lower oxidation state

(2)

: to add one or more electrons to (an atom or ion or molecule)

12

: to change (a stressed vowel) to an unstressed vowel

intransitive verb

1

a(1)

: to become diminished or lessened

especially : to lose weight by dieting

(2)

: to become reduced

ferric iron reduces to ferrous iron

b

: to become concentrated or consolidated

c

: to undergo meiosis

2

: to become converted or equated

reducer noun

reducibility

ri-ˌdü-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

-ˌdyü-

noun

reducible

ri-ˈdü-sə-bəl 

-ˈdyü-

adjective

reducibly

ri-ˈdü-sə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• break
• bust
• degrade
• demote
• disrate
• downgrade

Choose the Right Synonym for reduce

decrease, lessen, diminish, reduce, abate, dwindle mean to grow or make less.

decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity.

slowly decreased the amount of pressure

lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number.

has been unable to lessen her debt

diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total.

his visual acuity has diminished

reduce implies a bringing down or lowering.

you must reduce your caloric intake

abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount.

the storm abated

dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller.

their provisions dwindled slowly

conquer, vanquish, defeat, subdue, reduce, overcome, overthrow mean to get the better of by force or strategy.

conquer implies gaining mastery of.

Caesar conquered Gaul

vanquish implies a complete overpowering.

vanquished the enemy and ended the war

defeat does not imply the finality or completeness of vanquish which it otherwise equals.

the Confederates defeated the Union forces at Manassas

subdue implies a defeating and suppression.

subdued the native tribes after years of fighting

reduce implies a forcing to capitulate or surrender.

the city was reduced after a month-long siege

overcome suggests getting the better of with difficulty or after hard struggle.

overcame a host of bureaucratic roadblocks

overthrow stresses the bringing down or destruction of existing power.

violently overthrew the old regime

Examples of reduce in a Sentence

The medicine reduces the risk of infection.

We are trying to reduce our debt.

Stricter speed limit enforcement has reduced the number of car accidents.

Her prison sentence was reduced from 15 years to 10.

Recent Examples on the Web

Create strong systems that don’t need you in charge, and protect your energy with habits and routines that reduce decision fatigue. —Jodie Cook, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

Subscribe to hear this story A local packaging distributor is working to expand the reach of a biodegradable film capable of reducing waste in the manufacturing process. —Alex Garner, USA TODAY, 3 Dec. 2024

The right products can help clear out sebum and impurities, reducing the appearance of pores. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 3 Dec. 2024

Engaging in regular physical activity: Exercise strengthens the heart and other muscles and reduces symptoms like fatigue and trouble breathing. —Rafle Fernandez, Verywell Health, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, to lead back, from Latin reducere, from re- + ducere to lead — more at tow entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing reduce

• reduce (someone) to silence
• reduce (someone) to tears
• reduce (something) to ashes

Kids Definition

reduce

verb

re·​duce ri-ˈd(y)üs 

reduced; reducing

1

: to make smaller in size, amount, or number

reduce the number of accidents

especially : to lose weight by dieting

2

: to bring to a specified state or condition

3

a

: to lower in grade or rank : demote

b

: to be driven by poverty or need

was reduced to begging

c

: to lessen the strength of

4

: to change an arithmetic expression to a simpler form without changing its value

reduce a fraction to lowest terms

5

: to break down (as by crushing or grinding)

reduce stone to powder

6

a

: deoxidize

b

: to combine with or subject to the action of hydrogen

c

: to add one or more electrons to (an atom or ion or molecule)

reducer noun

reducibility

-ˌd(y)ü-sə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

reducible

-ˈd(y)ü-sə-bəl 

adjective

Medical Definition

reduce

verb

re·​duce ri-ˈd(y)üs 

reduced; reducing

transitive verb

1

: to correct (as a fracture or a herniated mass) by bringing displaced or broken parts back into their normal positions

2

a

: to bring to the metallic state by removal of nonmetallic elements

reduce an ore by heat

b

: deoxidize

c

: to combine with or subject to the action of hydrogen

d(1)

: to change (an element or ion) from a higher to a lower oxidation state

(2)

: to add one or more electrons to (an atom or ion or molecule)

intransitive verb

1

: to become diminished or lessened

especially : to lose weight by dieting

2

: to become reduced

ferric iron reduces to ferrous iron

3

: to undergo meiosis

Legal Definition

reduce

transitive verb

re·​duce ri-ˈdüs, -ˈdyüs 

reduced; reducing

1

: to make smaller

2

a

: to convert (a chose in action) into a chose in possession

enforcement action sought to reduce to possession her property interest in the…determination of money damages

—Haynes v. Contat, 643 N.E.2d 941 (1994)

b

: to convert by enforcement through litigation

may reduce a claim to judgment, foreclose, or otherwise enforce the claim

—Uniform Commercial Code

reducibility

-ˌdü-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē, -ˌdyü- 

noun

reducible

-ˈdü-sə-bəl, -ˈdyü- 

adjective

reducibly adverb

reduction

ri-ˈdək-shən 

noun