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 early evidence of the drugs’ promise emerges, and personal stories circulate on social media platforms, some patients have explicitly sought out the drugs to cut down on drinking. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 22 Oct. 2026

Frozen proteins can also help cut down on weekly shopping trips. — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

The push is attempting to cut down on wait times for crime victims accessing services and take inventory of the state’s violence prevention efforts under his tenure, according to an executive order obtained by The Sacramento Bee. — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Based on advice from healthcare professionals, Caruso scaled back her stress and cut down on caffeine. — Susan Degrane, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 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)