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

see also:

cut down to size

Examples of cut down in a Sentence

we need to cut down that dying tree

Recent Examples on the Web

From there, goods are distributed locally — cutting down on long-haul truck traffic. —Brian Unger, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026

Consequences of concentration This phenomenon has changed the way some NFL teams scout college prospects, cutting down on their trips to check out players on small campuses. —Arnie Stapleton, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026

Sustainability The hotel recently obtained Green Key certification, after a year of serious dedication to making the hotel more environmentally sustainable by cutting down on single-use plastics and lowering food waste. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2026

Best gentle hair dryers for $150+ This prograde hair dryer features advanced ionic technology to help cut down on frizz and improve shine. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

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)