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

As the new year begins, everyone is trying to cut down on calories and impulse purchases. —Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026

When wetlands were filled in and forests cut down. —Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2026

For one, the number of vacations that Poppy and Alex take together had to be cut down. —Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026

Between the mission deciding who is eligible for murder, and the Secret Traitor getting to cut down that shortlist even further, our Traitors are left with only three names to choose from. —Tom Smyth, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026

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)