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
- nonreduced adjective
- quasi-reduced adjective
- unreduced adjective
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.
“Hopes for renewed U.S.–Iran talks and the Israel–Lebanon ceasefire have reduced some of the immediate panic premium,” said Saxo Bank strategists.
From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026
Those capital ratios are still solidly above the banks’ minimum requirements, but have reduced excesses over that level.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026
With leakage reduced to 0.5 percent, the ozone layer would recover to its 1980 condition by 2066.
From Science Daily • Apr. 16, 2026
There are also potential impacts on land, such as a reduced marine layer, because the warm water temperatures will make it harder for low clouds and fog to develop over land.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026
But if Jenny and the others stuck with the silly Dog Squad premise, Cha-Cha would be reduced to making one guest appearance.
From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein
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.
