irreducible
adjective
ir·re·duc·ible
ˌir-i-ˈdü-sə-bəl 
-ˈdyü-
1
: impossible to transform into or restore to a desired or simpler condition
an irreducible matrix
specifically
: incapable of being factored into polynomials of lower degree with coefficients in some given field (such as the rational numbers) or integral domain (such as the integers)
an irreducible equation
2
: impossible to make less or smaller
an irreducible minimum
Examples of irreducible in a Sentence
They thought the world was made up of four irreducible elements: earth, air, fire, and water.
Recent Examples on the Web
Each individual possesses irreducible dignity because each is created in the image of God.
—
William E. Lori, Baltimore Sun, 25 May 2026
Remedy: Take the time to pressure-test every meaningful investment (resources and dollars) and break each one down to its most basic, irreducible truth.
—David Turner, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2026
While reading for cinematography, editing, and sound are all meaningful aspects of film criticism, the star is perhaps the only filmic element previously irreducible to purely digital forms.
—Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026
Because the tree should be irreducible, there is no circumstance where n2 can exist, so n2 = 0.
—Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for irreducible
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William E. Lori, Baltimore Sun, 25 May 2026
Remedy: Take the time to pressure-test every meaningful investment (resources and dollars) and break each one down to its most basic, irreducible truth.
—David Turner, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2026
While reading for cinematography, editing, and sound are all meaningful aspects of film criticism, the star is perhaps the only filmic element previously irreducible to purely digital forms.
—Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026
Because the tree should be irreducible, there is no circumstance where n2 can exist, so n2 = 0.
—Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for irreducible
Cite this Entry
“Irreducible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irreducible. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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Medical Definition
irreducible
adjective
ir·re·duc·ible
ˌir-i-ˈd(y)ü-sə-bəl
: impossible to bring into a desired or normal state
an irreducible hernia
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