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

This design helps cut down on interference from the plane, makes maintenance easier, and improves the ability to find submarines under the sea. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 17 July 2026

The measure faces roadblocks in the Senate, however, due to concerns about the impact of cutting down on morning sunlight. — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 17 July 2026

Chicory root fiber can support sleep by improving gut health, stabilising blood sugar and aiding digestion, which may cut down on nighttime awakenings. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 17, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026

Cunningham, a utility player who was named the 2026 Daily Southtown Baseball Player of the Year as a junior this spring, made it through preliminary rounds on July 10, cutting down the derby field from eight players to two. — Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 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)