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

Toe spacers make polish application much easier and cut down on smudging while layers dry. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026

Georgia is one of dozens of states that could have to fork over millions of dollars to provide food aid to lower-income residents if officials don't cut down on payment errors in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 25 June 2026

The compression features will also help cut down on bulk. — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 24 June 2026

The 40-ounce capacity cuts down on refills, and, according to Grabinski, the easy-to-clean design stays mold-free through regular use. — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 24 June 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)