reduction

noun

re·​duc·​tion ri-ˈdək-shən How to pronounce reduction (audio)
Synonyms of reductionnext
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 Indian settlement directed by Jesuit missionaries
4
: meiosis sense 2
specifically : production of the gametic chromosome number in the first meiotic division
reductional
ri-ˈdək-shnəl How to pronounce reduction (audio)
-shə-nᵊl
adjective

Synonyms

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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 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.
Regardless of what a full-year funding measure might include, the president has statutory authority to propose spending reductions to Congress. — Doug Criscitello, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025 Traders are assigning virtually no probability of a cut at next week’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting and only about a 1-in-4 chance of a reduction in May, according to CME Group calculations. — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2025 Dudek acknowledged that at least 7,000 SSA employees are slated to lose their jobs, while the agency is undergoing structural consolidation, including the reduction of 10 regional offices to four and the termination of multiple field office leases. — Dan Cody, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025 Higher inflation could affect the Fed’s planned reduction of interest rates. — Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reduction

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of reduction was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing reduction

Rhymes for reduction

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Browse Nearby Words

reduction
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Cite this Entry

“Reduction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reduction. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

reduction

noun
re·​duc·​tion ri-ˈdək-shən How to pronounce reduction (audio)
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 How to pronounce reduction (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on reduction

Nglish: Translation of reduction for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reduction

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