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.
"Protection cannot be reduced indefinitely without systems collapsing," said Dominique Hyde, UNHCR's external relations chief.
From Barron's ● Sep. 28, 2026
Higher energy costs have added to inflation concerns, while rising Treasury yields have further reduced the appeal of noninterest-bearing assets.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026
The bill was intended to address widespread complaints by victims of the fires that loss estimates prepared by adjusters who visited their properties were later reduced by adjusters who didn’t set foot on them.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2026
In July, Ofgem reduced what it believes to be a "typical" level of energy use, because many homes have cut back due to high prices in recent years while energy efficiency has improved.
From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026
The reduced crew at Fukushima Daiichi was scrambling to understand and control the situation.
From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland
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.
