reduce
verb
-ˈdyüs\
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
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
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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Other Words from reduce
-ˌdyü-
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noun
-ˈdyü-
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adjective
\
adverb
Synonyms & Antonyms for reduce
Synonyms
break, bust, degrade, demote, disrate, downgrade
Antonyms
advance, elevate, promote, raise
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Examples of reduce in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Add 2 teaspoons salt, reduce heat, and simmer until just tender, 15 to 18 minutes. Drain potatoes and return to the pot. — Woman's Day Test Kitchen, Woman's Day, "Garlic- and Sage-Infused Mashed Potatoes," 24 Oct. 2018 Cook 2 minutes or until well coated and vinegar has reduced, stirring occasionally. — The Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, Good Housekeeping, "Maple-Glazed Brussels Sprouts," 23 Oct. 2018 Studies show that walking or biking to work (or taking public transportation, if those aren’t doable) can reduce overall stress levels and have a positive effect on a person’s emotional and physical wellbeing. — Patricia Garcia, Vogue, "If Climate Change Is Causing You Anxiety or Even Grief, Experts Say You are Not Alone," 19 Oct. 2018 Regular exercise, eating nutritious foods, and getting good amounts of sleep (about 8 to ten hours a night) will help reduce the symptoms of anxiety, Hibbs says. — Eileen Reslen, Seventeen, "3 Vital Tips for College Students Who Are Struggling With Mental Health," 10 Oct. 2018 The catalyst surface reduces the high heat that would otherwise be necessary to ignite woodsmoke. — Roy Berendson, Popular Mechanics, "The Ultimate Guide To Cutting and Splitting Firewood," 28 Sep. 2018 Richard Palmer, the royal correspondent for the Daily Express, reported that a British bookmaker had reduced the odds of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's first child being born in 2019 to 1-4. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "Why People Are Jumping to Conclusions About Meghan Markle and Zika Right Now," 13 Sep. 2018 The company has built a number of features into the speakers like automatic volume leveling, night mode (which reduces loud sounds), and speech clarity. — Chris Welch, The Verge, "Roku TV Wireless Speakers launch November 16th for $200," 15 Nov. 2018 Watch More Moving Upstream Former Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work said the Pentagon is working on autonomous fighter jets that could substantially reduce costs and perform better in combat than human pilots. — Jason Bellini, WSJ, "The Future of Flight: AI in the Cockpit," 12 Nov. 2018These 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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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
-ˈdyüs\
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
\
Medical Definition of reduce
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)
1 : to become diminished or lessened especially : to lose weight by dieting
2 : to become reduced ferrous iron reduces to ferric iron
3 : to undergo meiosis
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reduce
transitive verb
\
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
: to cause to undergo reduction to practice
Other Words from reduce
\
noun
\
adjective
\
noun
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