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

Both local North Texas airports– Dallas Love Field and DFW International Airport – were among the 40 airports that were forced to cut down service. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Nov. 2025

CyberLink keeps streamlining the interface and cutting down on clutter. —PC Magazine, 15 Nov. 2025

For longer trips, especially, doing a load of laundry mid-way through your vacation will significantly cut down your packing needs. —Hannah Freedman, Travel + Leisure, 15 Nov. 2025

The Kodoku began with 292 participants and has been cut down significantly throughout the course of the season. —Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

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)