reduction

noun re·duc·tion \ ri-ˈdək-shən \

|Updated on: 17 Aug 2018

Examples: reduction in a Sentence

Definition of reduction

1 : the act or process of reducing : the state of being reduced

2 a : something made by reducing

b : the amount by which something is reduced

[Spanish reducción, from Latin reduction-, reductio]

: a South American Indian settlement directed by Jesuit missionaries

4 : meiosis 2; specifically : production of the gametic chromosome number in the first meiotic division

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reductional

play \ri-ˈdək-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl\ adjective

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Examples of reduction in a Sentence

a drastic reduction in size
Many voters want to see some reduction of the deficit.
There is a 20 percent reduction on selected items during this sale.

Recent Examples of reduction from the Web

His chance of meeting Canada’s emission-reduction target, already small under current policies, could disappear.

— The Economist, "Doug Ford disrupts Canada’s climate policy," 28 June 2018
Receiving mixed reviews in the survey were debt-reduction proposals of eliminating an elementary school and combining the district's two high schools, New Berlin West and Eisenhower, which also house middle schools.

— darryl enriquez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "New Berlin school officials learn support may exist for referendum to reduce debt," 27 June 2018
Since taking office, Mr. Trump has denied 180 pardon and sentence-reduction applications sent to the Justice Department.

— katie benner, New York Times, "Pardon System Needs Fixing, Advocates Say, but They Cringe at Trump’s Approach," 1 June 2018
Berkeley officials are considering a broader waste-reduction ordinance that would put a 25-cent surcharge on disposable cups and containers, and make paper straws free upon request.

— dominic fracassa, San Francisco Chronicle, "SF to consider banning plastic straws," 15 May 2018
Before her resignation, Flowers had been tasked with devising cost-reduction proposals for the library, which has just over $100,000 on hand to get through August, when its next installment of tax revenues comes in.

— zak koeske, Daily Southtown, "Director of cash-strapped Harvey library resigns rather than accept $30K pay cut," 15 May 2018
Other ozone-reduction tips include: Make sure your gas cap is on tight.

— jennifer larino, NOLA.com, "New Orleans will be under an air quality alert starting Tuesday at noon," 7 May 2018
ZIP code data also point to a growing concentration of drug users in particular suburbs, including Lakewood, Parma and Middleburgh Heights, that currently do not offer harm-reduction programs such as a needle exchanges.

— mark naymik, cleveland.com, "Politicians need to take note of needles and ZIP codes in opioid crisis: Mark Naymik," 26 Apr. 2018
The big reduction was offset only partially by distillate fuel oil stocks rising by 4.1 million barrels.

— jordan blum, Houston Chronicle, "U.S. crude stocks take big dip," 11 July 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of reduction

Middle English reduccion restoration, from Middle French reducion, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin reduction-, reductio reduction (in a syllogism), from Latin, restoration, from reducere

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year