WordGarden.ioreduction
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /rɪdˈʌkʃən/
US
- /rəˈdəkʃən/
Meanings
Noun
a decrease in size, amount, level, or intensity
a cut in price; a discount
a chemical process in which a substance gains electrons or loses oxygen
More meaningsFewer meanings
a concentrated liquid made by boiling off water during cooking
the medical procedure of putting a broken bone or dislocated joint back into place
Beyond the definition
A reduction is the act of making something smaller in size, amount, degree, or complexity. Imagine walking into your favorite store and seeing a price reduction—it's an immediate signal that things cost less! But the word travels far beyond the shopping mall. It can mean simplifying the complex, such as reducing a multi-step recipe to its basic components. In mathematics, you might reduce a fraction, changing the numbers while keeping the underlying value perfectly intact. In the kitchen, a chef reduces a sauce by simmering it, allowing moisture to evaporate to concentrate the flavor.
Consider the work of a sculptor. They begin with a massive, raw block of stone and, through a process of reduction—carefully chipping away everything that isn't the statue—they reveal the form hidden within. It isn't just about taking things away; it's about shaping something new. On a heavier note, you might encounter the phrase "reduction in force," which serves as a formal euphemism for layoffs within a company.
The word "reduction" refers to the act of making something smaller, less, or simpler. It is a versatile term used across diverse fields, from mathematics and science to economics and daily life. For instance, a reduction in carbon emissions is a primary goal for environmentalists, aiming to decrease the volume of harmful gases released into our atmosphere.
In the realm of science, specifically chemistry, reduction has a very technical meaning: the gain of electrons by an atom or molecule during a reaction. In culinary arts, a reduction is both a process and a result; by simmering a liquid to evaporate volume, a cook creates a thick, intense glaze. Economically, a reduction in interest rates or taxes is often used as a tool to stimulate consumer spending and growth.
Figuratively, reduction involves distilling something complex down to its essence. A historian might reduce a chaotic era to a few core causes and effects to help students understand it better. The word can also describe a change in state or condition, often a humbling one, such as when someone is "reduced to tears" or "reduced to poverty."
While the concept often implies taking something away, it is not inherently negative. Reduction can be a transformative and positive process—whether you are reducing waste, simplifying a cluttered life, or refining a raw idea into a sharp concept. Ultimately, reduction is about lessening and streamlining to bring things down to their most essential or potent form.
Examples
- 1
Discount
We got a reduction of $50 on the final bill.
- Patternreduction of + amount
lowered by that amount
- 2
Office work
The new system has led to a reduction in paperwork.
- 3
Medical result
Doctors are hoping for a reduction in his pain after the treatment.
- 4
Health habits
Regular exercise can help with stress reduction.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Jobs
The company announced staff reductions last week.
- Phrasestaff reductions
cuts in the number of employees
- 6
City planning
The city is aiming for a 30% reduction in traffic in the town center.
- 7
Climate policy
These changes are part of a long-term plan for the reduction of carbon emissions.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- cost reduction
- risk reduction
- emissions reduction
- a reduction in
Word family
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Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- reductionnoun
Forms
- reductionspluralnoun