reduced; reducing
Definition of reduce
1a
: to draw together or cause to converge : consolidate
reduce all the questions to one
b(1)
: to diminish in size, amount, extent, or number
reduce taxes reduce the likelihood of war
(2)
: to decrease the volume and concentrate the flavor of by boiling
add the wine and reduce the sauce for two minutes
c
: to narrow down : restrict
the Indians were reduced to small reservations
d
: to make shorter : abridge
3
: to bring to a specified state or condition
the impact of the movie reduced them to tears
5a
: to bring to a systematic form or character
reduce natural events to laws
b
: to put down in written or printed form
reduce an agreement to writing
6
: to correct (a fracture) by bringing displaced or broken parts back into their normal positions
8a
: to diminish in strength or density
b
: to diminish in value
9a(1)
: to change the denominations or form of without changing the value
(2)
: to construct a geometrical figure similar to but smaller than (a given figure)
b
: to transpose from one form into another : convert
c
: to change (an expression) to an equivalent but more fundamental expression
reduce a fraction
10
: to break down (as by crushing or grinding) : pulverize
11a
: to bring to the metallic state by removal of nonmetallic elements
reduce an ore by heat
b
: deoxidize
c
: to combine with or subject to the action of hydrogen
d(1)
: to change (an element or ion) from a higher to a lower oxidation state
(2)
: to add one or more electrons to (an atom or ion or molecule)
12
: to change (a stressed vowel) to an unstressed vowel
1a(1)
: to become diminished or lessened
especially
: to lose weight by dieting
(2)
: to become reduced
ferric iron reduces to ferrous iron
b
: to become concentrated or consolidated
c
: to undergo meiosis
2
: to become converted or equated
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Time Traveler for reduce
The first known use of reduce was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century