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

On May 9, the suspects cut down fiber-optic and coaxial cables in the 2100 block of Peralta Boulevard, in the city’s Parkmont neighborhood, according to the Fremont Police Department. —Jason Green, Mercury News, 29 May 2026

Using a sheet pan instead of a casserole dish helps cut down the cook time for this classic casserole. —Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 28 May 2026

Pittsburgh and PennDOT officials are working to find solutions to cut down on tractor-trailer trucks getting stuck on the ramp to the Parkway East from Stanwix Street. —John Shumway, CBS News, 28 May 2026

Freshman center fielder Alyssa Muhlbach doubled to right-center to lead off the fourth inning for Yorkville, but she was cut down trying to stretch it into a triple, ending the threat. —Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 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)