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

The Northern Sea Route follows Russia's Arctic coast, and the Northwest Passage, which crosses the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, cuts down travel time between North America and Europe by several weeks. —Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 14 Dec. 2025

This quick judgment reduces overthinking, cuts down on suitcase clutter, and keeps the packing process focused on just the travel essentials. —Aly Walansky, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2025

Best of all, the addition of ball tips on the nylon bristles isn’t just for a passing scalp massage—instead, this helps to cut down snagging and tugging. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2025

Mathews is now working a new caregiving job and bought his own car, which will immensely cut down his commute time. —Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 9 Dec. 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)