downsizing

[doun-sahy-zing]

noun

1. the act or process of reducing the number of something, such as employees or participants, usually as a cost-cutting measure.

   The company’s downsizing eliminated approximately 39% of all executive positions.

2. the act or process of replacing something larger with something smaller, such as moving into a smaller house.

   With the housing market in shambles, it would be difficult to sell our house, so downsizing is not really an option right now.

Word History and Origins

Origin of downsizing¹

downsiz(e) ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

“It’s symbolic of what’s happening — the downsizing of life and the handing over of control.”

From Los Angeles Times

The United States brought the case all the way back in 2020 and has spent years pushing for a downsizing of the company.

From Salon

Before the downsizing, Voice of America was responsible for broadcasting news in 49 languages to 360 million people every week, including in Russia and China.

From Los Angeles Times

For Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, the effort to stabilize itself not only means the loss of clinics, but also sharply downsizing the education department.

From Los Angeles Times

Professors are calculating how long science and medical research labs can stay open — some have three months left before downsizing.

From Los Angeles Times