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

Phrases

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

Packing cubes, and compression packing cubes in particular, are a great way to organize your belongings and cut down on bulk. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2025

Savannah is cutting down on gifts this year, too. —Tovia Smith, NPR, 27 Nov. 2025

The main difference between the Cool Curl Pencil and a typical curling iron, however, is that the Cool Curl has 104 tiny air vents that simultaneously release 360-degree cool air in three adjustable settings to help set the shape and cut down on heat damage. —Lily Wohlner, Allure, 26 Nov. 2025

The airport says there are more TSA lanes for a faster security experience, and passengers are expected to spend half as much time waiting for their luggage because the bag belt has been cut down from eight miles to three. —Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 25 Nov. 2025

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)