reduce

verb re·duce \ ri-ˈdüs , -ˈdyüs \

|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: reduce in a Sentence

Definition of reduce

reduced; reducing

transitive verb

1 a : 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

4 a : to force to capitulate

b : force, compel

5 a : 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

7 a : to lower in grade or rank : demote

b : to lower in condition or status : downgrade

8 a : to diminish in strength or density

b : to diminish in value

9 a (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

11 a : 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

1 a (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

—

reducer

noun

—

reducibility

play \ri-ˌdü-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē, -ˌdyü-\ noun

—

reducible

play \ri-ˈdü-sə-bəl, -ˈdyü-\ adjective

—

reducibly

play \ri-ˈdü-sə-blē\ adverb

See reduce defined for English-language learners

See reduce defined for kids

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 of reduce from the Web

Lead from old pipes leached into the water supply because corrosion-reducing phosphates were not added due to an incorrect reading of federal regulations.

— rebecca bratek, CBS News, "Local sorority raises $20,000 to help Flint's water crisis," 14 June 2018
With Wednesday’s announcement, Verizon still reduces its charge per line for all three tiers of unlimited plans as a customer adds more lines.

— aaron pressman, Fortune, "Verizon Adds a Third Unlimited Plan Tier With Even More High-Speed Data," 14 June 2018
Starting July 1, import tariffs will be dramatically reduced on nearly 1,500 consumer goods, including cosmetics, apparel and footwear.

— david pierson, latimes.com, "It's like QVC — but through a live-stream. How U.S. boutiques are reaching customers in China," 14 June 2018
In addition, 42% of mothers surveyed by Pew reduced work hours to care for children.

— kristen jordan shamus, Detroit Free Press, "US last in paid parental leave, but some Mich. companies stepping up," 14 June 2018
In the future, Earth has been reduced to an oversized dump.

— bill goodykoontz, azcentral, "We rank Pixar's animated movies, from worst to best," 14 June 2018
Though the mechanisms aren’t fully understood, this reduced bile flow can lead to serious itching all over your body.

— korin miller, SELF, "10 Crohn’s Disease Symptoms, From Diarrhea to Beyond," 13 June 2018
Their numbers are greatly reduced due to the cold water.

— meghan overdeep, Southern Living, "After an Extra-Long Delay, South Carolina Shrimp Season Expected to Open This Week," 13 June 2018
Levitt then reduced the bail back to $20,000 so Battle could be free from custody on a $2,000 bond to attend a month-long drug treatment inpatient stay at a facility in Carbondale.

— jim newton, Lake County News-Sun, "Great America battery fugitive jailed without bond after being caught again," 13 June 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of reduce

Middle English, to lead back, from Latin reducere, from re- + ducere to lead — more at ¹tow

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

reduce Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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

REDUCE Defined for English Language Learners

reduce

verb

Definition of reduce for English Language Learners

: 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.

REDUCE Defined for Kids

reduce

verb re·duce \ ri-ˈdüs , -ˈdyüs \

Definition of reduce for Students

reduced; reducing

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

Medical Dictionary

reduce

verb re·duce \ ri-ˈd(y)üs \

medical Definition of reduce

reduced; reducing

transitive verb

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

2 a : 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

ferrous iron reduces to ferric iron

3 : to undergo meiosis

Law Dictionary

reduce

transitive verb re·duce \ ri-ˈdüs, -ˈdyüs \

legal Definition of reduce

reduced; reducing

1 : to make smaller

2 a : 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