cut down

verb

cut down; cutting down; cuts down

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 The birds historically roosted in hollow trees, but have taken to chimneys as more and more of those trees get cut down. — Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, "Torrance home invaded by more than 800 birds," 30 Apr. 2021 Booths will be more widely spaced, to cut down on bottlenecks that would crowd browsers together. — al, "Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival returns with all-Alabama lineup," 29 Apr. 2021 Dillon Tate allowed one of those runs to score on a single by Gio Urshela before Stanton was cut down at home to end the inning by Austin Hays’ second outfield assist in as many nights. — Jon Meoli, baltimoresun.com, "Bruce Zimmermann hit hard as Orioles fall to Yankees, 5-1," 27 Apr. 2021 Site touts 16 weekly recipes that simplify things to cut down on prep time. — cleveland, "10 meal kit delivery services to consider treating mom to for Mother’s Day | sales & discounts," 26 Apr. 2021 To cut down on sibling rivalry, avoid comparisons between children. — Marisa Lascala, Good Housekeeping, "Sibling Rivalry Can Be Tricky — But Here's How Experts Suggest Keeping It to a Minimum," 26 Apr. 2021 To cut down on lapses, the department created a new course for officers to improve their writing skills and to teach them how to complete official incident reports, officials said. — New York Times, "In N.Y.C. Jail System, Guards Often Lie About Excessive Force," 24 Apr. 2021 Switch out your parchment paper for reusable silicone baking sheets, use refillable water bottles rather than single-use bottles, and opt for reusable paper towels to cut down on waste. — Nathalie Kirby, House Beautiful, "Six Easy Ways to Make Your Home More Sustainable," 22 Apr. 2021 Two years ago, the department took steps to cut down on racial bias in their policing by declining to stop people for small infractions like a broken taillight or windshield. — Justin Phillips, San Francisco Chronicle, "Listen to Oscar Grant's mom," 18 Apr. 2021

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.

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Last Updated

4 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Cut down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cut%20down. Accessed 13 May. 2021.

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More Definitions for cut down

cutdown

noun

cut·down | \ ˈkət-ˌdau̇n

\

Medical Definition of cutdown

: incision of a superficial blood vessel (as a vein) to facilitate insertion of a catheter (as for administration of fluids)

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