reduction

noun

re·​duc·​tion ri-ˈdək-shən 

plural reductions

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

3

[Spanish reducción, from Latin reduction-, reductio] : a South American Indigenous settlement directed by Jesuit missionaries

4

: meiosis sense 2

specifically : production of the gametic chromosome number in the first meiotic division

reductional

ri-ˈdək-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms of reduction

• deduction
• discount

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 on the Web

Homan characterized the talks as part of the administration's ongoing review of detention facility contracts, as well as the expansion and reduction of certain centers nationwide. —Joey Garrison, USA Today, 7 May 2026

What this usually means is an aggressive reduction in expenses; in the case of a college athletic department, that would likely mean the potential elimination of entire programs, staff positions, and a cutback on various budgets. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026

Landon said the county gained a wildfire risk assessment tool in 2023 that helps officials prioritize and determine which areas of the county should take priority for fuel reduction efforts. —Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2026

In mixed-robot environments of about 100 units, the company projects productivity gains exceeding 15 percent and operating cost reductions of up to 18 percent by minimizing traffic overlap, congestion, and manual intervention, Chosun Biz reported. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reduction

• oxidation-reduction
• reduction division
• reduction gear

Rhymes for reduction

• abduction
• adduction
• conduction
• construction
• deduction
• destruction
• eduction
• induction
• instruction
• obstruction
• production
• seduction

Kids Definition

reduction

noun

re·​duc·​tion ri-ˈdək-shən 

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 in price

3

: meiosis

especially : halving of the chromosome number in the reduction division

reductive

-ˈdək-tiv

adjective

Medical Definition

reduction

noun

re·​duc·​tion ri-ˈdək-shən 

1

: the replacement or realignment of a body part in normal position or restoration of a bodily condition to normal

2

: the process of reducing by chemical or electrochemical means

3

: the psychological diminishment of emotion or needs through activity or adjustment

4

: meiosis

specifically : production of the gametic chromosome number in the first meiotic division