diminution

American  

[dim-uh-noo-shuhn, -nyoo-] / ˌdɪm əˈnu ʃən, -ˈnyu- /

noun

1. the act, fact, or process of diminishing; lessening; reduction.

2. Music. the repetition or imitation of a subject or theme in notes of shorter duration than those first used.

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diminution British  

/ ˌdɪmɪˈnjuːʃən /

noun

1. reduction; decrease

2. music the presentation of the subject of a fugue, etc, in which the note values are reduced in length Compare augmentation

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Other Word Forms

• prediminution noun

Etymology

Origin of diminution

1275–1325; Middle English diminucion < Anglo-French diminuciun < Latin dīminūtiōn- (stem of dīminūtiō ), for dēminūtiōn- (stem of dēminūtiō ) (by influence of dīmunuere; see diminish), equivalent to dēminūt ( us ) (past participle of dēminuere, equivalent to dē- de- + minuere to lessen) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

When you "dim" a light, you reduce the brightness coming from the bulb. Diminution (not actually related to "dim") is the lessening of something to a smaller size or lower status, as a diminution of your "superpowers" when you wake up from a dream. Pronouncing diminution (dim-ih-NYOO-shun) only seems to get harder the more you repeat it, but memorizing the meaning and sounds with "diminish" and "ammunition" helps. If you take away the firepower in a battle, for example, you diminish the ammunition, causing a diminution of the army's power. A diminution is a decrease of size, time, or esteem. Does the word still sound funny? Let's try a diminution, or reduction, of the number of times we say it — starting now.

Example Sentences

“That would still be the case if there was some diminution in this number over time because of Google’s strategy,” they wrote.

From Barron's • Jan. 1, 2026

Investors more often than not fail to appreciate Aghion’s insight, since the diminution in future economic growth that results from protectionism only manifests itself over the longer term.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 21, 2025

He believes that the discovery of even simple alien life would be the latest chapter in the diminution of humanity's place in the cosmos.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2025

“This could include health care needs and medical monitoring, property restoration and diminution, and compensation for any net business loss.”

From New York Times • Apr. 9, 2024

Any diminution in magnetism is likely to be bad news, because magnetism, apart from holding notes to refrigerators and keeping our compasses pointing the right way, plays a vital role in keeping us alive.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

Related Words

• weakening