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reduce
[ri-doos, -dyoos]
verb (used with object)
to bring down to a smaller extent, size, amount, number, etc..
to reduce one's weight by 10 pounds.
Synonyms: abate, attenuate, lessen, retrench, contract, curtail, abridge, shorten, decrease, diminishAntonyms: increaseto lower in degree, intensity, etc..
to reduce the speed of a car.
to bring down to a lower rank, dignity, etc..
a sergeant reduced to a corporal
to treat analytically, as a complex idea.
to lower in price.
to bring to a certain state, condition, arrangement, etc..
to reduce glass to powder.
to bring under control or authority.
Cooking., to evaporate water from (a sauce, soup, or other liquid), usually by boiling.
Photography., to lessen the density of (an exposed negative).
to adjust or correct by making allowances, as an astronomical observation.
Mathematics., to change the denomination or form, but not the value, of (a fraction, polynomial, etc.).
Chemistry.
to add electrons to.
to deoxidize.
to add hydrogen to.
to change (a compound) so that the valence of the positive element is lower.
Chemistry, Metallurgy., to bring into the metallic state by separating from nonmetallic constituents.
to thin or dilute.
to reduce paint with oil or turpentine.
to lower the alcoholic concentration of (spirits) by diluting with water.
Surgery., to restore to the normal place, relation, or condition, as a fractured bone.
Phonetics., to modify the quality of (a speech sound) to one of lesser distinctiveness, especially to pronounce (an unstressed vowel) as (ə) or another centralized vowel, as in the unstressed syllables of medicinal.
verb (used without object)
to become reduced.
to become lessened, especially in weight.
to be turned into or made to equal something.
All our difficulties reduce to financial problems.
Cell Biology., to undergo meiosis.
reduce
/ rɪˈdjuːs /
verb
(also intr) to make or become smaller in size, number, extent, degree, intensity, etc
to bring into a certain state, condition, etc
to reduce a forest to ashes
to reduce someone to despair
(also intr) to make or become slimmer; lose or cause to lose excess weight
to impoverish (esp in the phrase in reduced circumstances )
to bring into a state of submission to one's authority; subjugate
the whole country was reduced after three months
to bring down the price of (a commodity)
the shirt was reduced in the sale
to lower the rank or status of; demote
he was reduced from corporal to private
reduced to the ranks
to set out systematically as an aid to understanding; simplify
his theories have been reduced in a popular treatise
maths to modify or simplify the form of (an expression or equation), esp by substitution of one term by another
cookery to make (a sauce, stock, etc) more concentrated by boiling away some of the water in it
to thin out (paint) by adding oil, turpentine, etc; dilute
(also intr) chem
to undergo or cause to undergo a chemical reaction with hydrogen or formation of a hydride
to lose or cause to lose oxygen atoms
to undergo or cause to undergo an increase in the number of electrons Compare oxidize
photog to lessen the density of (a negative or print) by converting some of the blackened silver in the emulsion to soluble silver compounds by an oxidation process using a photographic reducer
surgery to manipulate or reposition (a broken or displaced bone, organ, or part) back to its normal site
(also intr) biology to undergo or cause to undergo meiosis
Other Word Forms
- reducibility noun
- reducible adjective
- reducibly adverb
- antireducing adjective
- nonreducing adjective
- overreduce verb
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of reduce1
Example Sentences
Although existing treatments can help reduce inflammation, there are still no approved therapies that protect neurons or rebuild the damaged myelin sheath.
Finding a way to pay for military salaries could help reduce some of the political risk for congressional leaders if the shutdown drags on.
It was intended to maximise evening daylight meaning less heating and lighting was needed, reducing fuel consumption during wartime.
"Given the nature of the social context in which the harm to women and children from men's drinking occurs, interventions to reduce such harms might have to go beyond current alcohol policies," Professor Hettige said.
These programs may have to stop or be dramatically reduced soon.
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