: a reduction according to a fixed ratio
a scale-down of debts

Examples of scale-down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The scale-down coincides with a new directive for corporate employees: Come into the office three days a week or quit. Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 29 Oct. 2024 Israel has in recent days begun to withdraw troops from northern Gaza, signaling a potential scale-down in operations. Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 5 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of scale-down was in 1931

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scale-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scale-down. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!