reduction
rih-DUHK-shuhn
Reduction (noun) means the act of making something smaller, or the amount by which it has been decreased. Example: “The store announced a 20% reduction on all winter coats.”
noun
1
The act of making something smaller, or the amount by which it has been decreased.
"The store announced a 20% reduction on all winter coats."
"Doctors recommend a reduction in salt intake."
"The council promised a reduction in traffic around the school."
2
A sauce that has been boiled down until thick and concentrated.
"The chef finished the dish with a balsamic reduction."
"Simmer the wine until it becomes a thick reduction, then pour it over the meat."
"The recipe calls for a red wine reduction to go with the steak."
3
A medical procedure to reset a broken bone or dislocated joint.
"The surgeon performed a closed reduction on the fractured wrist."
"The doctor carried out a reduction of the dislocated shoulder in the emergency room."
"Bone reduction is often needed before a cast can be fitted."
How to use reduction
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA decrease, or the process of making something smaller — including a cooking technique and a medical procedure.
Common pairings
price reduction
a balsamic reduction
risk reduction
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Word forms
- Plural
- reductions
Fill the gap
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The store announced a 20% _____ on all winter coats.
Etymology
From Latin reductio, drawn from the same root as reduce.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for reduction
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for reduction →
Frequently asked questions
What does “reduction” mean?
The word “reduction” means the act of making something smaller, or the amount by which it has been decreased. In plain terms, a decrease, or the process of making something smaller — including a cooking technique and a medical procedure.
How do you pronounce “reduction”?
“Reduction” is pronounced rih-DUHK-shuhn (/ɹɪˈdʌk.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “reduction” in a sentence?
Here is “reduction” used in a sentence: “The store announced a 20% reduction on all winter coats.”
What is another word for “reduction”?
Words with a similar meaning to “reduction” include lessening.
What is the opposite of “reduction”?
The opposite of “reduction” — its antonyms — are elevation, expansion, promotion, increase and addition.
What part of speech is “reduction”?
“Reduction” is a noun.
Where does the word “reduction” come from?
The word “reduction” comes from Latin. From Latin reductio, drawn from the same root as reduce.
Is “reduction” a common word?
“Reduction” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between a reduction and a discount?
A discount is specifically a reduction in price, usually offered to encourage a purchase. Reduction is the broader term for any act of making something smaller, or the amount by which it has decreased, so it can apply to size, weight, staff numbers, noise levels, or costs. Every discount is a reduction, but not every reduction is a discount.
What is the difference between reduction and deduction?
A reduction is the act of making something smaller or the amount by which it has been decreased, such as a reduction in traffic. A deduction is an amount subtracted from a total, especially from pay or a tax bill, or a conclusion reached by reasoning. Use reduction for shrinking in general and deduction for subtracting from a figure or drawing a logical conclusion.
Is it "reduction in" or "reduction of"?
Use "reduction in" before the thing that gets smaller, as in "a reduction in crime" or "a reduction in price." Use "reduction of" most naturally before the amount of the decrease, as in "a reduction of 20 percent." Both patterns are grammatical, but this division reflects the most common usage.
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