cut down
verb
cut down; cutting down; cuts down
1
a
: to strike down and kill or incapacitate
b
2
a
: to remodel by removing extras or unwanted furnishings and fittings
b
: to remake in a smaller size
: to reduce or curtail volume or activity
cut down on smoking
Examples of cut down in a Sentence
we need to cut down that dying tree
Recent Examples on the Web
The combination shot was developed to cut down on the number of vaccines babies receive at age 1 and to increase the chances kids will get all of their vaccinations.
—
Erika Edwards, NBC news, 19 Sep. 2025
First, the shock, sadness, and grief that such a man, such a father, such a patriot has been cut down.
—Ayaan Hirsi Ali, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
The researchers recommended adopting better sleep practices, including cutting out caffeinated beverages in the afternoon, cutting down on alcohol consumption, avoiding large meals or exercise before going to bed, and reducing exposure to electronics prior to bedtime.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Ground crews are cutting down trees and shrubs on the South Lawn in preparation for the $200 million, 90,000-square-foot expansion of the East Wing that will contain the White House Ballroom, a formal dining area for 900 people.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cut down
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.
Erika Edwards, NBC news, 19 Sep. 2025
First, the shock, sadness, and grief that such a man, such a father, such a patriot has been cut down.
—Ayaan Hirsi Ali, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
The researchers recommended adopting better sleep practices, including cutting out caffeinated beverages in the afternoon, cutting down on alcohol consumption, avoiding large meals or exercise before going to bed, and reducing exposure to electronics prior to bedtime.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Ground crews are cutting down trees and shrubs on the South Lawn in preparation for the $200 million, 90,000-square-foot expansion of the East Wing that will contain the White House Ballroom, a formal dining area for 900 people.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cut down
Cite this Entry
“Cut down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cut%20down. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
cutdown
noun
cut·down
ˈkət-ˌdau̇n 
: incision of a superficial blood vessel (as a vein) to facilitate insertion of a catheter (as for administration of fluids)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share