First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
reduce
verb re·duce \ri-ˈdüs, -ˈdyüs\
: to make (something) smaller in size, amount, number, etc.
: to cause (someone) to be in a specified state or condition
: to cause (something) to be in a specified form by breaking it, burning it, etc.
re·ducedre·duc·ing
Full Definition of REDUCE
transitive verb
1
a : to draw together or cause to converge : consolidate <reduce all the questions to one> b (1) : to diminish in size, amount, extent, or number <reduce taxes> <reduce the likelihood of war> (2) : to decrease the volume and concentrate the flavor of by boiling <add the wine and reduce the sauce for two minutes> c : to narrow down : restrict <the Indians were reduced to small reservations> d : to make shorter : abridge
2
archaic : to restore to righteousness : save
3
: to bring to a specified state or condition <the impact of the movie reduced them to tears>
5
a : to bring to a systematic form or character <reduce natural events to laws> b : to put down in written or printed form <reduce an agreement to writing>
6
: to correct (as a fracture) by bringing displaced or broken parts back into their normal positions
8
a : to diminish in strength or density b : to diminish in value
9
a (1) : to change the denominations or form of without changing the value (2) : to construct a geometrical figure similar to but smaller than (a given figure) b : to transpose from one form into another : convert c : to change (an expression) to an equivalent but more fundamental expression <reduce a fraction>
10
: to break down (as by crushing or grinding) : pulverize
11
a : to bring to the metallic state by removal of nonmetallic elements <reduce an ore by heat> b : deoxidize c : to combine with or subject to the action of hydrogen d (1) : to change (an element or ion) from a higher to a lower oxidation state (2) : to add one or more electrons to (an atom or ion or molecule)
12
: to change (a stressed vowel) to an unstressed vowel
intransitive verb
1
a (1) : to become diminished or lessened; especially : to lose weight by dieting (2) : to become reduced <ferric iron reduces to ferrous iron> b : to become concentrated or consolidated c : to undergo meiosis
2
: to become converted or equated
— re·duc·er noun
— re·duc·ibil·i·ty \-ˌdü-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē, -ˌdyü-\ noun
— re·duc·ible \-ˈdü-sə-bəl, -ˈdyü-\ adjective
— re·duc·ibly \-blē\ adverb
See reduce defined for English-language learners
See reduce defined for kids
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Origin of REDUCE
Middle English, to lead back, from Latin reducere, from re- + ducere to lead — more at tow
Related to REDUCE
Synonym Discussion of REDUCE
decrease, lessen, diminish, reduce, abate, dwindle mean to grow or make less. decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity <slowly decreased the amount of pressure>. lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number <has been unable to lessen her debt>. diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total <his visual acuity has diminished>. reduce implies a bringing down or lowering <you must reduce your caloric intake>. abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount <the storm abated>. dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller <their provisions dwindled slowly>.
conquer, vanquish, defeat, subdue, reduce, overcome, overthrow mean to get the better of by force or strategy. conquer implies gaining mastery of <Caesar conquered Gaul>. vanquish implies a complete overpowering <vanquished the enemy and ended the war>. defeat does not imply the finality or completeness of vanquish which it otherwise equals <the Confederates defeated the Union forces at Manassas>. subdue implies a defeating and suppression <subdued the native tribes after years of fighting>. reduce implies a forcing to capitulate or surrender <the city was reduced after a month-long siege>. overcome suggests getting the better of with difficulty or after hard struggle <overcame a host of bureaucratic roadblocks>. overthrow stresses the bringing down or destruction of existing power <violently overthrew the old regime>.
conquer, vanquish, defeat, subdue, reduce, overcome, overthrow mean to get the better of by force or strategy. conquer implies gaining mastery of <Caesar conquered Gaul>. vanquish implies a complete overpowering <vanquished the enemy and ended the war>. defeat does not imply the finality or completeness of vanquish which it otherwise equals <the Confederates defeated the Union forces at Manassas>. subdue implies a defeating and suppression <subdued the native tribes after years of fighting>. reduce implies a forcing to capitulate or surrender <the city was reduced after a month-long siege>. overcome suggests getting the better of with difficulty or after hard struggle <overcame a host of bureaucratic roadblocks>. overthrow stresses the bringing down or destruction of existing power <violently overthrew the old regime>.
REDUCE Defined for Kids
reduce
verb re·duce \ri-ˈdüs, -ˈdyüs\
re·ducedre·duc·ing
Definition of REDUCE for Kids
1
: to make smaller or less <reduce expenses> <Reduce your speed ahead.>
2
: to bring to a usually worse state <The story reduced them to tears.>
3
: to lower in grade or rank
4
: to change to a simpler form <Reduce a fraction to its lowest terms.>
5
: to lose weight by dieting
Medical Dictionary
reduce
verb re·duce \ri-ˈd(y)üs\
re·ducedre·duc·ing
Medical Definition of REDUCE
transitive verb
1
: to correct (as a fracture or a herniated mass) by bringing displaced or broken parts back into their normal positions
2
a : to bring to the metallic state by removal of nonmetallic elements <reduce an ore by heat> b : deoxidize c : to combine with or subject to the action of hydrogen d (1) : to change (an element or ion) from a higher to a lower oxidation state (2) : to add one or more electrons to (an atom or ion or molecule)
intransitive verb
1
: to become diminished or lessened; especially : to lose weight by dieting
2
: to become reduced <ferrous iron reduces to ferric iron>
3
: to undergo meiosis
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