reduction

noun

re·​duc·​tion ri-ˈdək-shən How to pronounce reduction (audio)
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 How to pronounce reduction (audio)
-shə-nᵊl
adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In 2024, Detroit Free Press' Georgea Kovanis shared her experiences spending a year, along with photographer Mandi Wright, with Amanda, a woman addicted to drugs who is helping others like her, distributing harm reduction items that have saved lives. Detroit Free Press Staff, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025 Those concerns have caused some park advocates to recommend all parks with a reduction in force be closed until federal funding is sorted. Alana Wise, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025 Other benefits of acupuncture were pain intensity reduction, an improvement of physical functions, and fewer anxiety symptoms. Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025 Trump’s comments come at a point where Chicago has seen significant reductions in violent crime, according to Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office. Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reduction

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of reduction was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Reduction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reduction. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

reduction

noun
re·​duc·​tion ri-ˈdək-shən How to pronounce reduction (audio)
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 How to pronounce reduction (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on reduction

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