reduction

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.

“Reduction” is pronounced rih-DUHK-shuhn (/ɹɪˈdʌk.ʃən/ in IPA).

Here is “reduction” used in a sentence: “The store announced a 20% reduction on all winter coats.”

Words with a similar meaning to “reduction” include lessening.

The opposite of “reduction” — its antonyms — are elevation, expansion, promotion, increase and addition.

“Reduction” is a noun.

The word “reduction” comes from Latin. From Latin reductio, drawn from the same root as reduce.

“Reduction” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

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.

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.

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.