reduction

"Reduction" is a useful word with a few related but distinct meanings. At its core, it always involves making something smaller, less, or simpler — but the context changes depending on where you use it. Here are the most common senses.

1nounmaking something smaller or less

This is the most everyday meaning. When something decreases in size, amount, or level, that decrease is called a reduction. Think of it as the result of 'reducing' — cutting something down.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

There has been a significant reduction in crime in the city over the past five years.

The company announced a reduction in prices to attract more customers.

Doctors recommended a reduction in his sugar intake for better health.

2nouna discount or lower price

In shopping and business, a reduction means a price has been lowered. If a jacket was $100 and now costs $70, that $30 drop is a reduction. You will often see this word in shops or sales.

business, shopping · Modern, widely used

All winter coats are on sale with a reduction of 30%.

She was happy to find a price reduction on her favourite brand.

The store offered reductions on all items during the holiday season.

3nounfigurativesimplifying or breaking something down

Sometimes 'reduction' means taking something complex and making it simpler — breaking it down into smaller, more basic parts. This is common in academic or analytical contexts. For example, explaining a big problem by focusing only on one simple cause is a kind of reduction.

academic, philosophy · Formal, used in academic and intellectual contexts · figurative

The professor warned against the reduction of a complex historical event to a single cause.

His argument was criticized for its reduction of human behaviour to pure economics.

The reduction of a novel to just its plot ignores its deeper meaning.

4nouna cooking technique

In cooking, a reduction is what you get when you boil a liquid — like a sauce or stock — for a long time so that water evaporates and the liquid becomes thicker and more flavourful. Chefs use this technique all the time.

cooking · Modern, widely used

The chef prepared a rich balsamic reduction to drizzle over the steak.

Simmer the sauce until you have a thick reduction.

A red wine reduction adds a deep, intense flavour to the dish.

5nouna chemical process

In chemistry, reduction is a specific reaction where a substance gains electrons. It is always paired with its opposite process, oxidation. You will encounter this meaning in science classes.

science, chemistry · Modern, used in scientific contexts

The reduction of iron ore is a key step in making steel.

In this reaction, the copper ion undergoes reduction.

Oxidation and reduction always occur together in a chemical reaction.