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
Engaging suppliers behind polymer chips, fibers, dyes, chemicals, packaging and more, the initiative focuses on improving sustainability measurement by onboarding them to Cascale’s Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM), setting targets and developing action items for carbon reduction.
—
Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 20 Mar. 2026
In some cases, the exemptions were given to companies for pollution reduction that they were already legally required to do.
—CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
Discussions around layoffs and staff reductions were said at the time to be fluid, and a timeline for putting them into place was estimated to be from March to May.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
In the federal register notice announcing the reduction, the agency says a larger board wasn't more productive at reviewing more cases.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reduction
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Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 20 Mar. 2026
In some cases, the exemptions were given to companies for pollution reduction that they were already legally required to do.
—CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
Discussions around layoffs and staff reductions were said at the time to be fluid, and a timeline for putting them into place was estimated to be from March to May.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
In the federal register notice announcing the reduction, the agency says a larger board wasn't more productive at reviewing more cases.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 20 Mar. 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 Mar. 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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