reduction

noun

re·​duc·​tion ri-ˈdək-shən 

plural reductions

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 Indigenous settlement directed by Jesuit missionaries

4

: meiosis sense 2

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

reductional

ri-ˈdək-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms of reduction

• 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

Huang has called for more public housing and for a reduction in the number of police officers, with the cost savings poured into other city services. —David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026

Campaign Manager 2018 and 2020 in NC House District 90; serves on board and volunteers with separate local non-profits focusing on disaster relief, harm/risk reduction in communities battling addiction, and minority scholarship. —Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2026

But a reduction of two females from those ranks could push the state back to an earlier level of the plan, which carries more stringent restrictions. —Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 6 Feb. 2026

The union claims the district has refused to engage on critical issues impacting students, including class-size reductions, special education caseloads and educator health care. —Jason Green, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026

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

Rhymes for reduction

• abduction
• adduction
• conduction
• construction
• deduction
• destruction
• eduction
• induction
• instruction
• obstruction
• production
• seduction

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