reduction

noun

re·​duc·​tion ri-ˈdək-shən 

1

: the act or process of reducing : the state of being reduced

2

a

: something made by reducing

b

: the amount by which something is reduced

3

[Spanish reducción, from Latin reduction-, reductio] : a South American Indian settlement directed by Jesuit missionaries

4

: meiosis sense 2

specifically : production of the gametic chromosome number in the first meiotic division

reductional

ri-ˈdək-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Synonyms

• abatement
• deduction
• discount

Examples of reduction in a Sentence

a drastic reduction in size

Many voters want to see some reduction of the deficit.

There is a 20 percent reduction on selected items during this sale.

Recent Examples on the Web

After-school programming One of the most urgent issues facing CPS is the drastic cuts to after-school programs, including an 80% reduction in funding for debate. —Chicago Tribune, 26 Oct. 2024

In one of his first major moves as CEO, Auchincloss revised the company's plans to cut oil and gas production by 25% between 2019 and 2030, reversing a previous target of a 40% reduction over the same time-frame. —Gaurav Sharma, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024

Where Trump, Harris stand on key issues:A voters' guide to the 2024 election During his presidency, the Trump administration's climate actions included withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, an international effort to limit global warming through greenhouse gas emissions reductions. —Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 26 Oct. 2024

In two large trials between 2015 and 2019, public sector employees in Iceland worked 35-36 hours per week, with no reduction in pay. —Olesya Dmitracova, CNN, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English reduccion restoration, from Middle French reducion, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin reduction-, reductio reduction (in a syllogism), from Latin, restoration, from reducere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reduction

• oxidation-reduction
• reduction division
• reduction gear

Kids Definition

reduction

noun

re·​duc·​tion ri-ˈdək-shən 

1

: the act or process of reducing : the state of being reduced

2

a

: something made by reducing

b

: the amount by which something is reduced in price

3

: meiosis

especially : halving of the chromosome number in the reduction division

reductive

-ˈdək-tiv

adjective

Medical Definition

reduction

noun

re·​duc·​tion ri-ˈdək-shən 

1

: the replacement or realignment of a body part in normal position or restoration of a bodily condition to normal

2

: the process of reducing by chemical or electrochemical means

3

: the psychological diminishment of emotion or needs through activity or adjustment

4

: meiosis

specifically : production of the gametic chromosome number in the first meiotic division