Reduction — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ri-ˈdək-shən/ re·duc·tion

Meaning & Definition of Reduction

Reduction (noun)

  1. the act or process of reducing, the state of being reduced
  2. something made by reducing
  3. the amount by which something is reduced

Reduction (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something that is or may be subtracted

    "there was a sizable reduction in her weekly pay when she decided to buy health insurance"

    similar: abatement, deduction, discount
    related: giveback, kickback, rebate, dent, depreciation, decline, decrement, diminishment, diminution, drop, fall, loss, forfeit, forfeiture, penalty
    opposite: accession, addition
    near: accretion, accrual, augmentation, boost, gain, increase, increment, raise, rise, appreciation

  2. the amount by which something is lessened

    "saw an 11% reduction in the number of students applying to the school"

    similar: abatement, decline, decrease, decrement, dent, depletion, depression, diminishment, diminution, drop, drop-off, fall, falloff, loss, shrinkage, step-down
    related: deduction, subtraction, downturn, slip, slump, curtailment, cut, cutback, retrenchment, shortening
    opposite: boost, enlargement, gain, increase, increment, raise, rise, step-up, uptick
    near: accretion, accrual, accumulation, addition, supplement, continuation, extension, upswing, uptrend, upturn

  3. the act or an instance of bringing to a lower grade or rank

    "the captain was punished with a reduction to lieutenant"

    similar: bump, demotion
    related: disrating, downgrade, dismissal, firing, layoff, sacking, abasement, debasement, humiliation

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Reduction

The most common words with a similar meaning to Reduction:

abatement, deduction, discount, decline, decrease, decrement, dent, depletion, depression, diminishment, diminution, drop, drop-off, fall, falloff, loss, shrinkage, step-down, bump, demotion

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Reduction

Words with the opposite meaning of Reduction:

accession, addition, boost, enlargement, gain, increase, increment, raise, rise, step-up, uptick

Related Words for Reduction

giveback, kickback, rebate, depreciation, forfeit, forfeiture, penalty, subtraction, downturn, slip, slump, curtailment, cut, cutback, retrenchment, shortening, disrating, downgrade, dismissal, firing, layoff, sacking, abasement, debasement, humiliation

Near Antonyms of Reduction

accretion, accrual, augmentation, appreciation, accumulation, supplement, continuation, extension, upswing, uptrend, upturn

Word Forms of Reduction

Inflections: reductions

Derived words: reductional (adjective)

Origin & Etymology 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

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Reduction

Words & Phrases Containing Reduction

reduction division, reduction gear, oxidation-reduction

Frequently Asked Questions about Reduction

What does "Reduction" mean?

"Reduction" means the act or process of reducing, the state of being reduced. As a noun, it is defined as: the act or process of reducing, the state of being reduced. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Reduction"?

Other words for "Reduction" include abatement, deduction, discount, decline, decrease, decrement, dent and depletion. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Reduction" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Reduction"?

There are 45 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Reduction". Common alternatives include abatement, deduction, discount, decline, decrease, decrement, dent, depletion, depression and diminishment.

What is the opposite of "Reduction"?

Antonyms of "Reduction" include accession, addition, boost, enlargement, gain, increase, increment and raise. Near antonyms include accretion, accrual, augmentation and appreciation.

How do you use "Reduction" in a sentence?

Examples of "Reduction" in a sentence: "there was a sizable reduction in her weekly pay when she decided to buy health insurance"; "saw an 11% reduction in the number of students applying to the school"; "the captain was punished with a reduction to lieutenant".

Is "Reduction" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Reduction" is a noun.

Is "Reduction" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Reduction" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Reduction"?

"Reduction" is pronounced /ri-ˈdək-shən/ and divided into syllables as re·duc·tion.