cut down

verb

Definition of cut down

transitive verb

1a : to strike down and kill or incapacitate

b : knock down

2a : 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

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

And maybe the rest of us will do better, too: cutting down on the relentless snacking that keeps us from eating more nutritious foods at mealtimes, and trying the healthier foods whose tastes can take longer to appeal. — Jennifer Traig, WSJ, "The Making of the Picky Eater," 11 Jan. 2019 Freight has been a prominent target of autonomous vehicle research, although in the US most of the hype surrounds freight trucks, which could be run in platoon formation to cut down on highway traffic. — Megan Geuss, Ars Technica, "Mining co. says first autonomous freight train network fully operational," 30 Dec. 2018 The 49-inch model of Sony's excellent X900F TV has been cut down to $900, a new low. — Jeff Dunn, Ars Technica, "Dealmaster: The Black Friday 2018 tech deals that might actually be worth buying," 18 Nov. 2018 Donors to the foundation balked, and later the grant was cut down to $13 million. — Ian Lovett, WSJ, "Catholic Business Leaders Hold Back Donation to Vatican Amid Church Crisis," 6 Sep. 2018 The trees that once covered the hills have been cut down to make room for shelters, and the roots dug up for firewood. — Kristen Gelineau, Fox News, "Nowhere to run: Rohingya hunker down as monsoon arrives," 17 July 2018 To cut down to five apps, Google will eventually shut down Hangouts and Google Allo, while Messages, Hangouts Chat, Hangouts Meet, Duo, and Google Voice would continue to be supported. — Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, "Google to simplify messaging strategy, will support only five messaging apps," 6 Dec. 2018 Save the finest china—or any china—for the main event and opt for disposable, eco-friendly plates and trays for appetizers to deftly cut down on cleanup. — Vogue, "Kitchen Confidential: 4 Tricks to Make Your Post-Party Cleanup a Breeze," 16 Nov. 2018 To cut down a tree then is to risk killing whoever is on the platform. — Mary Lovell, Teen Vogue, "Bayou Bridge Pipeline Meets Resistance from the L’eau Est La Vie Camp," 16 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cut down.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.