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

Disney frames it as a way to move people through the gates faster and cut down on fraud. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026

Some states have advocated for such a system, where FEMA provides the funding upfront, cutting down on the administrative reporting that states must do. —Lauren Sommer, NPR, 7 May 2026

Since PCs often display static browser windows and programs, reducing the refresh rate has been seen as a way to cut down on energy consumption. —Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 5 May 2026

Ramirez and Liam Hicks have combined to cut down only three runners on the season while allowing a combined 42 steals. —Andy Behrens, New York Times, 4 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)