reduce

verb

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re·duce | \ ri-ˈdüs

, -ˈdyüs \

reduced; reducing

Definition of reduce

transitive verb

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

2 archaic : to restore to righteousness : save

3 : to bring to a specified state or condition the impact of the movie reduced them to tears

4a : to force to capitulate

b : force, compel

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

7a : to lower in grade or rank : demote

b : to lower in condition or status : downgrade

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

intransitive verb

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

Other Words from reduce Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about reduce

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Choose the Right Synonym for reduce

decrease, lessen, diminish, reduce, abate, dwindle mean to grow or make less. decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity. slowly decreased the amount of pressure lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number. has been unable to lessen her debt diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total. his visual acuity has diminished reduce implies a bringing down or lowering. you must reduce your caloric intake abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount. the storm abated dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller. their provisions dwindled slowly

conquer, vanquish, defeat, subdue, reduce, overcome, overthrow mean to get the better of by force or strategy. conquer implies gaining mastery of. Caesar conquered Gaul vanquish implies a complete overpowering. vanquished the enemy and ended the war defeat does not imply the finality or completeness of vanquish which it otherwise equals. the Confederates defeated the Union forces at Manassas subdue implies a defeating and suppression. subdued the native tribes after years of fighting reduce implies a forcing to capitulate or surrender. the city was reduced after a month-long siege overcome suggests getting the better of with difficulty or after hard struggle. overcame a host of bureaucratic roadblocks overthrow stresses the bringing down or destruction of existing power. violently overthrew the old regime

Examples of reduce in a Sentence

The medicine reduces the risk of infection. We are trying to reduce our debt. Stricter speed limit enforcement has reduced the number of car accidents. Her prison sentence was reduced from 15 years to 10.

Recent Examples on the Web That has reduced costs for American health care companies, but has made the supply chain more vulnerable to global pandemics. — Anchorage Daily News, "Inside America’s mask crunch: A slow government reaction and an industry wary of liability," 3 Apr. 2020 Kroger and other stores have reduced hours to allow for more time to restock and cleans stores. — Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, "What grocery stores are doing to keep you safe, stocked up during COVID-19 pandemic," 3 Apr. 2020 For the foreseeable future, that amount has been reduced to zero, Harris said. — Steven Litt, cleveland, "Rock Hall announces furloughs, pay cuts, to trim red ink caused by coronavirus pandemic shutdown," 3 Apr. 2020 Among the rank and file, Cinemark employees will work reduced hours and make no more than 50 percent of their salary. — Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, "ITV CEO, Top Executives Take Salary Cut, Bonuses Canceled Amid Virus Crisis," 3 Apr. 2020 But according to its most recent SEC filing, David Simon, whose titles include chairman, CEO and president, has reduced his base salary to zero due to the coronavirus business impact. — Alexandria Burris, Indianapolis Star, "Simon Property Group slashes executive pay due to coronavirus pandemic," 3 Apr. 2020 Americans perhaps take for granted that their internet hasn’t slowed during the coronavirus pandemic, unlike in Europe where speeds and streaming quality have been reduced so networks don’t collapse. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "Faster Internet Is on the Way," 2 Apr. 2020 Airlines have drastically reduced flight schedules in the face of plummeting passenger volume between cities. — Sarah Brookbank, Cincinnati.com, "Coronavirus in Ohio, Kentucky: Number of cases, when curve peaks, stay-at-home extension," 2 Apr. 2020 By 2014, Nieman says, Stratakis had also reduced her $118,000 udget for items including supplies and travel to $20,000. — Meredith Wadman, Science | AAAS, "Female scientists allege discrimination, neglect of research on women at NIH’s child health institute," 2 Apr. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'reduce.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near reduce

red turnip beetle

red turpentine beetle

redub

reduce

reduceable

reduced circumstances

reduced hematin

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Last Updated

7 Apr 2020

Cite this Entry

“Reduce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reduce. Accessed 9 Apr. 2020.

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More Definitions for reduce

reduce

verb

English Language Learners Definition of reduce

: to make (something) smaller in size, amount, number, etc.

: to cause (someone) to be in a specified state or condition

: to cause (something) to be in a specified form by breaking it, burning it, etc.

See the full definition for reduce in the English Language Learners Dictionary

reduce

verb

re·duce | \ ri-ˈdüs

, -ˈdyüs \

reduced; reducing

Kids Definition of reduce

1 : to make smaller or less reduce expenses Reduce your speed ahead.

2 : to bring to a usually worse state The story reduced them to tears.

3 : to lower in grade or rank

4 : to change to a simpler form Reduce a fraction to its lowest terms.

5 : to lose weight by dieting

reduce

verb

re·duce | \ ri-ˈd(y)üs

reduced; reducing

Medical Definition of reduce

transitive verb

1 : to correct (as a fracture or a herniated mass) by bringing displaced or broken parts back into their normal positions

2a : 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)

intransitive verb

1 : to become diminished or lessened especially : to lose weight by dieting

2 : to become reduced ferric iron reduces to ferrous iron

3 : to undergo meiosis

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reduce

transitive verb

re·duce | \ ri-ˈdüs, -ˈdyüs

reduced; reducing

Legal Definition of reduce

1 : to make smaller

2a : to convert (a chose in action) into a chose in possession enforcement action sought to reduce to possession her property interest in the…determination of money damages — Haynes v. Contat, 643 N.E.2d 941 (1994)

b : to convert by enforcement through litigation may reduce a claim to judgment, foreclose, or otherwise enforce the claim — Uniform Commercial Code

reduce to practice

: to cause to undergo reduction to practice