Dictionary

reduction

noun re·duc·tion \ri-ˈdək-shən\

: the act of making something smaller in size, amount, number, etc. : the act of reducing something

: an amount by which something is reduced

Full Definition of REDUCTION

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 Indian settlement directed by Jesuit missionaries
4
:  meiosis 2; specifically :  production of the gametic chromosome number in the first meiotic division
re·duc·tion·al \-shnəl, -shə-nəl\ adjective
ADVERTISEMENT

Origin of REDUCTION

Middle English reduccion restoration, from Middle French reducion, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin reduction-, reductio reduction (in a syllogism), from Latin, restoration, from reducere
First Known Use: 15th century

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous
REDUCTION Defined for Kids

reduction

noun re·duc·tion \ri-ˈdək-shən\

Definition of REDUCTION for Kids

1
:  the act of making something smaller or less :  the state of being made smaller or less <a reduction in noise>
2
:  the amount by which something is made smaller or less
Medical Dictionary

reduction

noun re·duc·tion \ri-ˈdək-shən\

Medical Definition of REDUCTION

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
ADVERTISEMENT
How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears