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
The White House promoted the work requirements along with a reduction in immigrant participants.
—
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 19 June 2026
Homeowners can claim a homestead exemption on their primary residence for a reduction in their property taxes.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2026
The programs help communities track local air pollution by placing more air monitors in the area, develop their own pollution-reduction plans and fund green projects that replace older diesel vehicles and equipment, such as school buses and heavy-duty trucks, with cleaner options.
—Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2026
Some reduction in status is inevitable.
—Literary Hub, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for reduction
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.
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 19 June 2026
Homeowners can claim a homestead exemption on their primary residence for a reduction in their property taxes.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2026
The programs help communities track local air pollution by placing more air monitors in the area, develop their own pollution-reduction plans and fund green projects that replace older diesel vehicles and equipment, such as school buses and heavy-duty trucks, with cleaner options.
—Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2026
Some reduction in status is inevitable.
—Literary Hub, 18 June 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 19 Jun. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
