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

However, the announcement does not provide quantified figures for cost savings, production-time reductions or improvements in battery performance. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026

While Levine Cava’s reductions on late-night routes survived intact in the budget, commissioners agreed to take up the issue again this fall before the cuts took effect this spring. — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026

According to Castillo, the two projections illustrate how the timing and pace of implementing the reductions could affect the district’s ability to maintain enough cash to meet its payroll and other financial obligations throughout the year. — Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026

And large-scale adoption on farm fields will be required to have the kind of carbon-reduction impact Salk scientists want. — ABC News, 18 Sep. 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