reduction
noun
re·duc·tion
ri-ˈdək-shən 
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
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
The staff reductions are the first step in shutting down the 46-year-old agency, McMahon has said.
—
Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025
All of those staffers were laid off in the recent federal workforce reductions.
—Kayla Jimenez, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025
The cuts will come through a trio of actions: voluntary resignations, the expiration of COVID-era and other term appointments, and a limited number of reductions in force.
—Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
Of further concern, the Administration today also announced a 40 percent staff reduction at SBA—on top of the 50 percent staff reduction that has already taken place at the Department of Education.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reduction
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Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025
All of those staffers were laid off in the recent federal workforce reductions.
—Kayla Jimenez, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025
The cuts will come through a trio of actions: voluntary resignations, the expiration of COVID-era and other term appointments, and a limited number of reductions in force.
—Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
Of further concern, the Administration today also announced a 40 percent staff reduction at SBA—on top of the 50 percent staff reduction that has already taken place at the Department of Education.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reduction
Cite this Entry
“Reduction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reduction. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
adjective
-ˈdək-tiv
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
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