reduced
Americanadjective
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made smaller, lower, or less; diminished.
Individuals who experience depression have reduced levels of serotonin in their brains.
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Mathematics. noting a polynomial equation in which the second highest power is missing.
The cubic equation x3 − 4x + 4 = 0 is reduced.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of reduced
Explanation
A reduced thing has been lessened or subtracted from. If you want to ride your bike in Italy and you’re on a budget, look for reduced airfare. For a reduced risk of injury, wear a helmet when you get there. To reduce something is to make it smaller or lessen it in some way. Therefore, anything reduced is smaller than it was before. If you’re pedaling your way through Italy and hit a giant hill, you’ll probably have reduced pedal power and go much slower. This word applies to things that are going down in degree or amount. There could be reduced pain, reduced cost, or reduced size. Anything described as reduced can also be called decreased.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The first law allowing an early claiming age was passed in 1956 and let women workers and wives of workers claim retirement benefits at a reduced rate beginning at age 62.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 2, 2026
As I got fitter after my cancer treatment ended doctors gradually reduced my heart medication dosages, but I was still having side effects like a low heart rate and fatigue.
From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026
Ryanair on Wednesday reduced its winter capacity to mitigate its exposure to unhedged jet fuel prices of $140 per barrel, illustrating a major economic impact of the energy crisis.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026
In Germany, more than 1,500 products will have their prices lowered by an average of 20%, while in the U.K., prices will be reduced on hundreds of home furnishing products and accessories.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026
We were, a couple of times, reduced to eating from dumps and garbage cans.
From "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH" by Robert C. O'Brien
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
