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

Not only do these packing cubes from Bagsmart aid in organization, but the compression technology works wonders to cut down on bulk. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 19 Dec. 2025

Researchers also hope to cut down the number of foam cubes. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 18 Dec. 2025

The act also cuts down the permitting time for projects to pass through the Public Service Commission. —Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 18 Dec. 2025

In Mansfield Park, when one character talks of cutting down beautiful old trees, Fanny Price quotes poetry in their defense. —Literary Hub, 16 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)