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

Management wants a cap and a floor that would cut down disparity in payrolls along with restricting a player to at most 15% of his team's payroll. — ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026

The trees were cut down to improve visibility of a billboard owned by Adams Outdoor Advertising. — Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2026

Pick the Right Shoes Supportive footwear can cut down injury by supporting good form. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Oct. 2026

Without that support, many of the groups behind community events will have to either cut down their plans or find a way to charge admission. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 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)