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
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
Under the revision, the Recreation Center would stay open 40 hours a week, a reduction from 60 hours.
—
Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2026
That said, if a patient has a preexisting diagnosis of dry mouth or a condition that predisposes them to dry mouth, like Sjögren's syndrome, doctors might advise against gland reduction.
—Jolene Edgar, Allure, 14 May 2026
Along with the reduction in cost, labor and human error, the program also aimed to unlock new value by enabling efficient processing for high-value streams such as duty drawback claims on damaged or unsold good.
—Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 14 May 2026
The pool is heated with steam exhaust, and recycling and food-waste reduction programs are in full swing.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for reduction
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Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2026
That said, if a patient has a preexisting diagnosis of dry mouth or a condition that predisposes them to dry mouth, like Sjögren's syndrome, doctors might advise against gland reduction.
—Jolene Edgar, Allure, 14 May 2026
Along with the reduction in cost, labor and human error, the program also aimed to unlock new value by enabling efficient processing for high-value streams such as duty drawback claims on damaged or unsold good.
—Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 14 May 2026
The pool is heated with steam exhaust, and recycling and food-waste reduction programs are in full swing.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for reduction
Cite this Entry
“Reduction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reduction. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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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